ADVENT: Choosing To Love: C.A.R.E

So many folks struggle with developing  a working core value of what constitutes love. All too often, their end result is .... well... not so good.  Sadly, folks "fall in love" and out of love.  Love for most is only an  emotion rather than a symptom of the real thing:  Sadly they spend their lives slipping and sliding through broken relationships that pass the carnage on to future generations.  I hope, in this blog, that you find a better way and improve your love quotient for the good of all concerned.

The candle representing "love" on the Advent Wreath is symbolic of something that is life changing.  Those who know ole SoJourner also know I spell love with an unusual acrostic:

C ommitment.

•   John 3:16-17 is God's own expression of NOT falling in love, but choosing to commit and give 100% as love (not the mere 50/50 that folks say is needed to make "it" in a relationship." ) Wow! gonna fail in school if you shoot for the 50% rule, and you are gonna flop too if 50/50 is your relationship rule.
• 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a demonstrates what love is, does, is not, and does not do. I guarantee, to love this way, folks have to shoot for 100%, by His grace.
• So love is a Choice to commit.

A cceptance

• Romans 5:8 is really great.  It tells us "Even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
• Remember that Jesus told us "there is no greater love than a man dying for a friend."
• When He died for us, we were NOT at our best.  We were "yet sinners."  He took us just as we were and, BTW, He takes us as we are.
• In a relationship that includes love there is acceptance of the individual who has all the "warts" that humans have.  Then there is a working together and growing together in a genuine love relationship.

Respect

• Jesus demonstrated this while removing His regal Rabbinical robes and putting on slaves garments. He then washed his disciples (servants) feet.
• When disrespect is prominent in a relationship with constant put downs and abusive behavior of any kind, there is NO love.
• Aretha Franklin sang it well:  "R-E-S-P-E-C-T you don't know how much that means to me."

Empathy

• Jesus told us "I have come that you may have life and have it fully." John 10:10b
• He also, as the "Wonderful Counselor," revealed through the writer of the Book of Hebrews  "We have a High Priest (Jesus) who understands everything about our feelings and weaknesses. He was tempted in every way we have been tempted, but He never sinned." (came up short). So He invites us "Come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help you whenever you are in need."
• There is no better Counselor than our LORD:  Turn over your "stuff" and find a way to be enough.  He empathizes.  He understands.  He helps us live more purpose filled lives, as well as gives us eternal life.
• Demonstrating love, therefore, means we will follow this example. We empathize

Bottom line:  People really do not care how much you know until they know your care.  Also, when we believe someone is committed to us, accepts us, respects us and empathizes with us. And when we give this love away, we begin to feel those "warm fuzzy feelings" we mistakenly call love.  The emotions become what they are: The symptom of the real thing. Then, the relationship becomes more sacred or holy because "God IS LOVE."

God loves you this way.  He gives you this love, as you surrender your life to Him, through Jesus who is Christ.  He then let's you choose to whom you will commit yourself.  He gives you the opportunity to REALLY love. He gives you the the possibility of being a person who knows how to C.A.R.E.

So go love someone today and ...

Be Blessed 2-day ... Especially 2-day

SoJourner