Loves Second Look

        Ah, love is a wonderful thing.  Now I’m not speaking about a mushy, sentimental emotion but the enduring forever kind.  You cannot love someone without asking this question, “How much will you suffer for loves sake?”  It has been said, “Suffering is the true cement of love.”  Paul Sabatier   If there is one thing Christ taught us it is that love is not weak or compromising but strong and ready to stand against all odds.  Love is the most majestic and noblest of all human responses.  Jesus Christ, because of His deep love and commitment to us, suffered great agonies.  It is His example that teaches us what love is.  Faithful love must be learned over and over again.

            One of the ironies of love is that often when seeking to do good toward a loved one there is a price to pay.  Yet we must prevail and take a loss.  If a Christian should suffer, which is at times God’s will, it should be for doing good.  “So if you are suffering according to God’s will keep on doing what is right and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you.”  1 Pet 4:19   We cannot say we love someone but condone their wrong actions.  “Love that seeks to do men good is cowardice when it refuses to prevent them from doing wrong.”  Shailer Matthews   We are to love someone so much that we experience heartfelt pain to see them do damage to their conscience and relationship with the Heavenly Father.

            Dear Christian, we must trust God to bring us through the hard times.  There will be hurt along the way but God is standing by to encourage us.  “He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever.”  1 Pet 5:10   Love is not for the faint-hearted.  It is a promise to another person which should be broken only by God.  The truth is, “We never know how much one love’s till we know how much he is willing to endure and suffer for us.”  Henry Beecher   Ah, love.  Let us think about the commitment.  There’s nothing like it!