Sacrificial Love at it's Zenith

Love. A small, four letter word that countless individuals throughout history have tried to grasp. Many scoff at the sound of it. Ask someone what they believe "love" is, and you'll hear things like "when you really really really like someone" or "that pie-in-the-sky feeling that's unattainable." Some have been smothered with love, while others hate the concept of that kind of affection.

What is it about love that one group of people would sacrifice almost anything for it, and the others would sacrifice anything to make sure it keeps its distance? Why is it that we use the same word to describe our affection for "beer & hot wings" with a spouse, family member, or God? Does it demean the word and make it common rather than special?



Love is a unique concept. All of us want to give love and receive love. But we pump the brakes when we face uncertainties; questions like, "Does she really love me for who I am?" and "Does God accept me in lieu of my depraved heart?" cause us to step back and think twice before allowing ourselves to be exposed to someone else and risk being trampled on...or, truly, risk feeling the utmost joy that there is someone else out there in this huge universe that cares for little 'ole me.

One thing I have noticed, friends, is that my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the ultimate example of love and paid the ultimate price so that you and I would know the one, true God of this Universe, and from this relationship experience true love. Love never seeks its own benefit, but rather the benefit of another; Jesus Christ laid aside himself and took the punishment that you and I deserved and rose again to redeem His people: sacrificial love at it's zenith. If you don't know this love, you'll never find anything close to it. If you know this love, this becomes your identity and your other relationships will be fueled from this wellspring. God loves me unconditionally, and I therefore seek to love my girl unconditionally as well; I seek to serve her at the cost of meeting my own needs. I seek to uplift my friends whether or not they feel downcast. I seek to share the good news with the lost because if God would save someone like me, He could save anyone, and I want them to know that same love and peace that surpasses understanding. I pray for those who have wronged me in the past, and desire no evil to come upon them.

What's tough, though, is that when we show love, we risk getting hurt and sometimes...well, it happens. A friend doesn't come through on a commitment. Maybe your pops wasn't there for you when you needed. Or, even your husband ditched you. Or you've lost someone so precious you don't know how to move on. The pain that comes from things like these are very real, and I won't downplay the effects it can have on a person's soul. But I say this to my soul whenever I feel unloved: Jesus was beaten and suffered the wrath of God in my place; he was insulted by the crowds and yet cried out that God would forgive them, "for they knew not what they were doing." To not receive love can hurt, it can bruise the soul. But what a good God I serve, that shows me true love and heals my heart whenever it's been hurt. God is love (1 John 4:8); I love Him, and He's shown me true love--I want to emulate Him. For if I did not know Him, I would not know love; I would only know selfishness.

Love :)