“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)

What is love? Many in our culture seek to find the answer to this question. Often defining love based on what they see on the “big screen.” As Christians however, we know the answer already. The bible has defined love for us by the countless acts of our creator and loving father. Verses like today’s, from the apostle Paul, embody all there is to know about the word love. And to the worlds surprise it has nothing to do with a queasy stomach or the feelings you have when you are around someone.

Instead, Paul uses actions like patience, kindness, humility, honorable and respectful, selflessness, calm and forgiving. He describes love with concrete words of meaning and value, not abstract feelings. He infers that love will be hard, it will take work and effort, it will be challenging, and it will stretch you. It is a pouring of yourself into another person, not to receive a return on your investment, but to build something new and stronger within your relationship. True love builds up both people to be the best version of themselves, in spite of themselves. People will fall, miss the mark and eventually give in to sin. It is only through the love and grace of God that we are offered forgiveness through prayerful repentance. And it is through the love of others that we are held accountable and picked back up after the fall. Love is the only thing that can do this between people, because nothing else would make sense. All our other natural responses and defense mechanisms are completely counter to putting ourselves “out there” and opening ourselves up to possibly being hurt. But love is the God designed cure for overcoming these things.

If you want to know love, look to God in heaven, and put today’s verse into action