When I think about a military hero and the willingness they have to give their life to save fellow comrades, it tells me something about the power of love. As I ponder (John ), “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” it makes me realize what the power of love must entail.
(1 Corinthians ), “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Perhaps your question is this, “How can I find love?” Love matures as a person subjects themselves to it, rather than resisting or rejecting it. One must open their heart to receive love.
It took a while for me to come to an understanding of what the word meant. Through my youth I did not hear the word love that often. I was programmed that people used other people and took advantage when they could. For this reason my guard was always up to prevent people from getting close to me.
Had it not been for God’s love wooing me in 1969 to give my heart to Him, I most likely would not be experiencing a loving companionship with a Christian mate today. Having experienced the new birth through Jesus Christ, it took time to grow in love, because of my earlier misconceptions regarding love.
Though I was a new Christian, it was hard to say, “I love you.” It was also difficult to receive love from my wife and others when they tried to express it. I would ask myself, “What’s their angle?”
One day my wife poked me in the chest with her finger and exclaimed, “You’re not letting me in!” “What do you mean?” I said. “You’re not letting me in there!” as she pointed to my heart.
It was true. I kept people at arm length, afraid that I would be taken advantage of if I allowed them too close. How sad, a woman trying to give love, yet a man reluctant to receive it, because of fear. The Bible tells us in (1 John ), “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
I remember early in our marriage as we were leaving my wife’s, parents house; my Father-in-law hugged me and said, “I love you.” Sitting in the car I asked my wife, “What does he want?” She said, “What do you mean?” I replied, “Does he want me to paint his house? What does he want?” I honestly thought there was an ulterior motive behind the hug and telling me that he loved me. She assured me that there was no underlying reason. I was not accustomed to love being expressed in this manner.
Slowly I began to lower my arm and became aware that things were not as I had envisioned or supposed them to be. A wonderful lesson ensued. I learned that when I allowed people into my comfort zone they did not misuse or take advantage of me. I gleaned through their example how to give and receive love. Today I am more compassionate than ever before, because of the power of love. God has shown me the beauty of giving and receiving love.
I am learning day by day how to give more of myself in ways I never thought possible. Jesus said in (Acts ), “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” These words are certainly true; a revelation of truth to a man that once horded love and compassion like a hermit; alone and without friends.
Change didn’t happen over night, but time has a way of bringing out the best in people, especially when God’s Spirit is working on the inside. The power of love exceeds personal preferences and past teachings when individuals decide change is needed in their life. (2 Corinthians ), “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Such is the power of love!
God’s affection and love for mankind was too great to merely stand by and watch as His creation plummeted into hell, because of sin. For this reason Jesus Christ laid down His life for His friends. He is the true hero that saves us from peril and a life without hope. He is our hope! In Him we live!
Written by,
Papa Boyd
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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