What is Love?
Give me a four-letter word that brings peace and ends wars, hides a multitude of sins, stands when everything else fails, and inspires even the darkest of nature to shine.
Okay, I give you LOVE.
It’s incredible how all of that can be represented in a feeling. Wait, is love a feeling? Is it an action? Is love an idea? What exactly is this intangible thing that seems to drive the entire universe?
You can’t see it, but it most certainly exists.
It reminds me of the wind. We don’t see the wind, just the effects of where it’s blowing and where it’s been. And yet, it’s never bothered us that we’ve never seen it. We feel its freedom as our hair blows across our faces or, God forbid, our skirts up over our heads! Yes, that wind can be tricky, uncontrollable, and catch us by surprise.
But we enjoy its gentle caresses in the heat of a summer day, lure it to start a fire during those cold winter nights, and watch as it single-handedly rids the trees of dead leaves in the heart of Fall. Interestingly enough, the wind sounds a lot like love.
(Except for the skirts over the head part. HA)
What a powerful and earth-shaking realization. Wind and love are undeniably alike. The same force that can produce a hurricane that will destroy everything in its path is also necessary for the sailor to reach his destination safely and efficiently.
The same gusts that can prevent the lighting of candles on a birthday cake can also spread wildfire too quickly to be contained. It’s the same with love. It just depends on how we allow it to move in our lives.
The Biblical definition of love best sums it up:
“Love is patient. Love is kind and not jealous; love does not brag and is not proud. Love is not rude or selfish and does not get upset with others. Love doesn’t keep records of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices in truth. Love bears all things, believes in all things, hopes in all things, and endures all things.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Let me say it this way: much like the wind, love cannot be seen, but its effects will be. We can see where love currently abides and where it has been. It leaves indelible marks on everything it touches. It can offer us freedom if we will take it.
It will relieve the heat of hatred and thaw the cold and hardened hearts of the hurting. And can sweep away the dead debris from the shattered limbs of life to prepare for a better season.
And since love is such a gentleman, it beckons us to open the door. Patiently knocking, howling even, waiting outside for all prisoners hiding in their homes of heaviness. But we must open the door and let it in.
I have experienced this love
—the kind that patiently whispered to me for years, “It’s okay to come out. I’m here to help you, not to harm you.” And I reluctantly and fearfully cracked the door to my torn and timid heart to see Him standing there.
He gently took my hands and led me to green pastures filled with grace and mercy where the wind of freedom blew across my tear-stained face. And I smiled once more, knowing that I’d never have to hide in that house of shame and regret void of the wind and love.
Now, I know more than just WHAT love is. I know WHO love is. He can bring peace and end wars, hide a multitude of sins, stand when everything else fails, and inspire even the darkest of nature to shine. GOD is love.
