Love

“Love you!”

We all say it, but what IS love? Is it complicated or is it simple? If you asked 10 people to define love, you’d probably get 10 different answers.  However, we can all agree that nothing compares to the experience of giving and receiving love.  

When we experience it, we say we feel complete. When we lose love, we feel empty.  

I prayed one day, “Lord, help me love you like you deserve.” I wasn’t sure how to do that—love like he deserves.

Then I knew the answer. A love relationship cannot be nurtured nor experienced until we abide in love.

(Jesus said) As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. John 15:9-17 (NIV) (parenthesis mine)

Abide in love.