What’s Love Got To Do With It?

Yesterday, as many celebrated Valentine’s Day, I was reminded of my first Valentine’s day gift. I was but a cute, clueless teen. I can’t forget the feeling I had when I got it. You couldn’t tell me that such gift wasn’t because of Love.

I remember the big heart that was clutched to Teddy’s chest. I bet my gifter’s heart was that big. I smiled from ear to ear and held on to the thing like it was a million dollars. It quickly became valueless though, considering I had to hide it in a tree root the moment home was in view. My grandmother sure wasn’t the type to accept the idea that it was an innocent gift from a secret admirer. The next day I went looking for my “love”, but Teddy was gone! It quickly became someone else’s treasure…and just like that, love felt bitter.

Of course I had no idea what love was. It’s value was weighed to a teddy bear.

I will admit that I’m fortunate enough to have experienced love in many ways. But the love that I yearn for, the love that is incomparable to none, is the love that I want to have for Jesus. There’s no doubt in my mind that He loves me, but doubt lurks when I question the reciprocity. Do I love Him the way I aught to?

It’s a strange thing for a Christian to say. But lately I’ve been questioning if what I have or feel is true love for God. In fact, my prayers for the last few months have been for the Holy spirit to teach me how to love Him.

Alright before you start to raise eyebrows and make a frown, you may want to ask yourself that question too.

Do you love Jesus, or are you in love with the idea of Him or the result and rewards that come with loving Him? What if those things didn’t come with loving Him? What if there were no land made with milk and honey, or streets of gold? What if there were no New Jerusalem to explore, or mansion to live in? What if there were no conditions attached? Would you still love Him?

Love is a strange thing guys. It’s just not enough to say you love. It’s not a feeling you get when you look at material rewards. What if those go, will love not go with them?

In the book of John chapter 21, verse 15-19 Jesus had an interesting conversation with one of his followers.

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Master, you know I love you,” said Peter.
Jesus responded, “Ok, Feed my lambs.”

Jesus then asked a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Master, you know I love you,” Peter replied again. Jesus said, “Shepherd my sheep.”
Then Jesus said it a third time: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was upset that He asked for the third time, “Do you love me?” so he answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know. You’ve got to know that I love you.”
Then Jesus said again, “Feed my sheep.”

What’s love got to do with it(feeding, shepherding of lambs)?

EVERYTHING!

Ones love for Jesus isn’t just a feeling, or an emotion. Here, Jesus is teaching us that love is an action.

And-no, I’m not talking about the gifting or receiving of teddies, roses and chocolate. To me, that’s only for commercialization, self gratification, and spiritual blindness.

Jesus himself told you the condition of this love…”if you love, feed, tend, or shepherd”. You and I know Jesus wasn’t talking about chocolate and movie dates. He desires us to be people who live in service of others! This is Jesus giving us insight as to what those who proclaim they love Him must do.

So if you profess to love Him and you’re not serving, then friend, you’re fooling yourself. There’s no way around it. Going to church just isn’t enough.

Let’s be the people that take Jesus’ words seriously and begin to willingly give our time and talent so that we are a blessing to those around us.

What’s love got to do with it? EVERYTHING!

Makes me think of one of my favorite childhood songs. (Song)

Beautifully sung by Carlene, Andrew, & Jon-Andrew LaTouche

Love is truly a magical thing. You cannot keep it to yourself. We’re taught how to love by demonstrating what real love looks like (John 15:13).

As we grow in knowledge and understanding of who God is, we begin to love the characteristics that define Him, such as wisdom, truth, righteousness, service, and purity.

That, my friends, is the reason I’m yearning for something greater. I want to love Him, so I can be like Him.