Love Is...

January 24

"Love is the dynamic motivation behind every worthy purpose; it is the upward thrust that lifts men to the heights." Wilferd A. Peterson

Love is so much more than dynamic motivation and upward thrust. If that's all it were, it would be more worthy of the space program than of its ultimate definition, "…God is love," I John 4:8. When we allow it to be what HE says it is, it becomes the transformative component of any situation, circumstance, relationship. It becomes the one factor that can confound the negativity one individual feels for another, for it is the one thing no man can rationalize away.

Give love and forgiveness to everyone around you--you may not trust them, you may not share your secrets with them, you may not open yourself to further hurt by their hand but you will extend God to them by living before them as He would live, in the essence of His person-hood. By doing that, your life becomes the backdrop on which the life of Jesus may be clearly seen--and the unmistakable contrast between His life and theirs just might bring them to the foot of the cross where they, too might find forgiveness in the revelation of who He is.

It may have taken many people to break your heart, to undermine your reputation, to diminish your sense of self-worth, but it will take only ONE to reverse the damage of their evil intent and that ONE is JESUS. HE IS FAITHFUL. He will perform what He has promised (See Romans 4:21).

It may not be evident at the moment of your testing, but Jesus loves you, and on a day when you may least expect it, you will be bathed in His love, for He is always pouring it over you. Ultimately, He will make it real because, "Faith is the substance of things HOPED FOR, the evidence of things unseen," Hebrews 11:1. By the evidence of Calvary Jesus proved forever that He would make any sacrifice in your behalf. It is the sacrifice, it is the love, Paul assures us in I Corinthians 13:8, “…will never fail.”