All for Love

I have been asked to speak at a MOPS (Moms of Pre-schoolers) group on the topic of "All for Love."  So, it got me thinking about how we define love in today's world.  What exactly is love in your own heart and mind? 

Is it a feeling? An intense affectionate concern for another person? A passionate attraction to someone else? A beloved individual? A strong liking or enthusiasm towards others?  Is love cherishing a loved one or a family member?  Is love adoring someone in particular?

How would you define love? What would cause you to say "I love you" to someone? What would cause you to "love" something or someone? Is it the type of love you see on a Hallmark movie?  Or even in a romantic novel?  Is it family love or friendship?  Is it brotherly/sisterly love?

And, on another level, how would you describe a parent's love?  Is it sacrificial?  It is unconditional or conditional?  Or, is it a duty that has to be done because children are not able to take care of themselves? I think that subject would take days or years to define!  And, there is definitely more to being a parent that meets the eye as basic duties of a parent!

There are questions and upon questions on love...what question do you have about love?

I Corinthians 13:1-3 says:  "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries  and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."

Would you give all you possess to the poor?  Would you burn at the stake for someone you loved? Think about it.  What degree would you go to for love?

Love is defined very differently in the Bible than the Webster dictionary.  

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love.  It is the highest of the four types of love in the Bible. 

Phileo love is a friendship type of love.  

Storge love is affection. 

And, finally Eros love is romantic love.

Which type of love presents itself in your life on a regular basis? What would you give up for love?  Or who would you do anything for,  for love?  

And, how about ALL for love?  Would you give it "all?"  Is there a specific cause you would give everything up to help? Would you sponsor a child with Compassion International or a similar organization to love a child that has nothing or very little?  Would you do that for 18 years or longer? What about your own kids if you have them.  What would you do to love them completely?

And, finally, would you give your life for another person if it came down to it?  Or, would you give up your life as Christ did on the cross for an entire humanity of people whose sins, mistakes or choices need atoning for?  

Love is a very deep subject to ponder....and a topic that is vital to our families and lives....we can choose to love deeply and give "all" for love or not.  

How do you choose to love?  Deeply or on the surface?  Carelessly or carefully? Conditionally or unconditionally?  All or nothing?

Continuing from the verse above, verses 4-13 say it all:

"Love is patient and kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not haughty or selfish or rude.  It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered.  It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I put childish things behind me.  Now I see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And, now these three things remain:  Faith, Hope and Love.  But the greatest of these is LOVE."

So again, what do you say love is?  How do you choose to love those people in your life?  Choose carefully.  It has lasting affects on those you love or choose not to love.