I am IN LOVE.

LOVE is on my mind. Not this "new" conditional love that seems to be permeating our society. Not this dysfunctional, abusive, neglectful, weak, selfish, unfaithful, love that allows people to mistreat one another, throw each other away, and walk away without so much as a fleeting thought as to the impact to their souls.

No. This morning, there is a DIFFERENT kind of LOVE on my mind. A love that heals. A love that builds you up. A love that covers you. A love that is patient, kind, and gentle. A love that is not self-seeking. A love that protects. A love that is not proud. A love that is not easily angered. A love that does not dishonor others. A love that always hopes... always perseveres.

Friends, we are quick to say we are "in love"... but if what you are in, looks more like the first paragraph than the second... you are not in "love", you are in "emotion". God is love. A love that reflects God's perfect love, is a more than you can think to ask or imagine kind of love. A love that reflects and is rooted in Christ, has the power to heal your heart, not hurt it... it has the power to grow your faith, not compromise it... it challenges you to become better, it doesn't allow you to settle or to become complacent... A love that reflects God's love for you, cares about your soul. This is a love that cherishes you... that protects you... This is a love that lasts unconditionally, because it is given freely. 

Here's the catch. You won't be able to recognize God's love in a man... if you haven't first come to know it in God Himself. My dear sisters, spend time with God, before you even THINK of spending time with a man. Get to know LOVE firsthand. Then you won't be fooled by imitations and imposters. Get to know LOVE. Let God fill your heart with His LOVE. Let Him show you what LOVE truly feels like, looks like, acts like. This is the love you want to be IN. When you are walking in God's love, you are protected. When you are walking in God's love, then you will recognize His love in another. When you are IN LOVE with God, LOVE will permeate your life.
I am in LOVE. Are you?

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.