What is Love?

Two people rush into a marriage and their reason is because they love each other. A year later, after very much bitterness they decide to file for a divorce.

A girl is abused frequently by her angry boyfriend. She refuses to leave him because she claims that she loves him. She is convinced he loves her. He continues to hit her.

A boy proclaims to the crush of his life that he is in love with her. After a month of dating, he decides that he would rather make out with her friend.

A married couple is together for 20 years. They have 5 children together. The husband walks out on the marriage one day because he feels he hasn't loved his wife for 5 years now.

These are really sad tales. If you are anything like me, thinking over these scenerios cause you to feel pretty down. Sadly, you probably know somebody in each of those situations. I know I do. I can put a name to each of the individuals mentioned up there. How heartbreaking is that?

What is wrong with the world?

I'd say the problem is because we have forgotten what love is. It's not a warm fuzzy. It's not a magic feeling. It not something that will make you feel all special inside. Actually, love isn't about you or me at all. It isn't a personal thing.

My favourite chapter in the Bible tells you exactly what love is. Here is an excerpt from 1 Corinthians 13. These are verses 4 -7.

4: Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful;
5: it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
6: it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.
7: Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

How often does one follow those rules of love? I know I fall short almost everyday. If I try to follow them and remember them than I know my relationships will benefit so much more. Because love really isn't about how I feel. It isn't about what it does for me. But what can I do for others?