What does it mean to fall in love? The world thinks that falling in love is feelings and romance and excitement and whatnot. But the world's love does not often last. The world's love is superficial and at risk of fading away without warning. That doesn't mean that people of the world can't have meaningful love experiences. It just means that without the Author of Love at the foundation, it is rarely (if ever) certain.
When I think about falling in love I replace the word love with the definition of love: Jesus. So I fall into Jesus. Falling into Jesus is a powerful experience that creates relationships of oneness and eternity. I can fall into Jesus with so many people; it's not exclusive to a romantic relationship. And yet if I told people I was "falling in love" with others I would be viewed rather strangely, because they would interpret my meaning through society's meaning of love. That's too bad because I'm not sure I can find a better way to describe my experience of loving people with whom I share Christ.
Paul understood what I'm talking about. Look how he talked to the Philippians.
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:7,8
Um... Paul was longing for them? Seems like a pretty strong word to use for someone with whom he's not romantically involved. But I get the feeling Paul was a very passionate man, he was always longing for his churches. He said the same thing to the Romans and the Corinthians and to Timothy and the Thessalonians. Oh, and it's fun to note that the Greek word used for longing (epipothei) is the same one that James uses to describe how the Spirit of God longs for us. (James 4:5).
So, in the spirit of Paul's words...it is right for me to feel this way about all of you.
Additionally, Paul was always going around crying and kissing everyone and encouraging others to do likewise. Keep in mind, he is no pansy, either. This guy is proudly bearing chains for Christ and yet he has a love and a devotion for God's people for which our society would be leery. (Acts 20:37, Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:26)
Because the enemy is so intent on destroying everything good that God has made, he has twisted the idea of love into a self-centered experience that gratifies our own earthly desires. And that makes me so sad.
This is the month of love and lovers and chocolates and flowers and all things romantic. And one could look at my situation and feel sorry for me because I don't have a Valentine. But I so do! I have a better grasp on the concept of love now more than I ever have. I am in love.
And over the last few months, especially, I have fallen in love (in Jesus) a lot. I even fell into Jesus with a woman I met in a dressing room a couple weeks ago! We were just trying stuff on, offering encouragements to each other and sharing and laughing. And then before you know it, I mention a devotion to Jesus and there is a light in her eyes and a smile on her face and an "Amen!" on her lips and we talk for another hour, in front of the mirror, about God's direction, God's love, our hope and our joy. We hug a couple times, we make plans to visit again soon and my heart is full. I saw her again this Saturday night and was so happy to be able to talk about our love for Jesus again.
And what about all the people that have recently entered my life from my new place of worship? Powerful Jesus-centered connections with so many of them! I'm overwhelmed and overcome with praise for God who allows me to share in this Oneness with His people.
I know that in this society it is difficult to love people with this kind of passion without misleading some of them. I realize that and I do pray about it. The love that two people would share, exclusively, goes beyond what I'm talking about with fellow believers. But since so many people have never experienced such a powerful exclusive love, a devoted Jesus-centered agape love can throw them off balance and confuse them.
There is only one assurance we can have in this world of broken promises and shattered relationships. And that assurance is the foundation of Jesus. If two people can love God more than they love each other, their love for each other is just an extension of God and He will be the anchor that holds them and the Father that guides them. So even when all else fails, Jesus never does. Cliché? Yes. Yet also quite true. But in the meantime, the unity we can share with each other in the name of Jesus is the bond that will preserve our friendships through the challenges the enemy will use to try and destroy us.
Do not be like I used to be. Do not be afraid to love people. Do not be afraid to see them through God's eyes. Do not be afraid to long to be with His people. And to cry with them when they hurt and to ache when they are apart and to pray for them with a fervor that brings you to your knees. Because at that point, you may finally catch a tiny glimpse of how Jesus longs for us. And when you realize how he desires us - each one of us - then you will see the value in everyone and then you will treat them accordingly and the cycle of love will continue.
Jesus is in heaven, desperately longing to physically hold us and love us and yet He is limited to Spirit. But we are not just spirit, we are flesh too. And in His stead, He has asked us to perpetuate His love so that we can be one as He and His Father are one. We are His arms for His children and so it is our privilege to love one another.
Love one another,
as I have loved you...
by this everyone will know
that you are my disciples.
John 13:34, 35; John 15:12
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