What Do You Love?

I apologize for the lack of posts these past weeks, but I just couldn't find a new topic to blog about. I really don't want my page to become a sort of diary; I want to write and post about things that I truly feel are worth being said. I stopped trying to rack my brain for something to say and decided to wait and let the words come. Well, I heard it said recently that the demise of mankind can be partly blamed on the fact that humans have misinterpreted the meaning of "love," not merely in definition, but in action. What does LOVE mean to a sinful and fallen world? In a nation where we can love hotdogs, love NASCAR, and love running, how do we know what love is? Those who do not know true Love, those living without God, have replaced the definition of love, the feeling of love, the action of loving, with PASSION. Why do so many marriages fail? Why don't relationships last? Why do families fall apart? If God is love, then love is not passion. 1 John 4:8, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." The Greek word for "love" in this context is the word "agape." Agape love is a selfless, self-sacrificing love. To "agape" someone (or something) means to serve them whole-heartedly and relentlessly even if you receive nothing in return. If agape is love, then to love means to SERVE. For the past few days I have been turning this thought over and over in my mind. Is God not the ultimate example of true love? Is Jesus not the ultimate servant? Did He not command me to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, and mind? Did He not command me to love others as myself? I have often wondered how I KNOW if I love God. I don't feel my love for him the way I love my boyfriend or the way I love my parents. How do I love others when I don't necessarily like them all? I had fallen into the trap of redefining love. Love is not a feeling. Love is an action. Love is servanthood. I now hear the word "love" as "serve." I will serve the Lord my God. I will serve my neighbor as myself. I say I love you, but am I serving you?
A servant is patient. A servant is kind. A servant does not envy, she does not boast, she is not proud. She does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs. A servant does not delight in evil, but delights in the truth. She always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
What do you love?