Conscious love

Our love must be conscious and must be relevant. It must be authentic and it must be genuine.  So, too, must our ministries strive to be the same thing - a conscious, intentional, active love.

All too often, love is seen as this ambiguous thing that made up of rainbows and fluffy bunnies, or the looks that love-struck middle school students exchange. Or more commonplace in contemporary society and especially in the dating scene, love is misconstrued as the attention we receive from someone of the opposite gender.

Love is so much more than that. Love is both noun and verb. Love is emotion and choice. Love is choosing to stick with someone in the darkest of days and lowest of valleys, as well as in the triumphs of life. Love is choosing to fight through the battles with each other and not fight against each other. Love is putting another and their needs above your own. Love is words. Love is thoughts. Love is action. Love is. Love does. Love will continue to do.

We are able to love only as much as we know love. We know love from God and when we are consumed and filled with that love, we are able to pour out that love to others. We must also see ourselves through the lens of love. All to often, when we look in the mirror, we only see our flaws, mistakes, and past wrongs. We need to see the reflection that God sees - a son or daughter who is made perfect through the blood of Jesus Christ. A son or daughter who is loved beyond all measure and whose worth was determined by their Creator, not based on the views of people they have encountered in this life, nor is it based on the mistakes and wrongs of their past. We must truly love ourselves in order to selflessly love others.

What does love do?
Love chooses to stay no matter what is faced.
Love speaks hope and encouragement.
Love stands up in strength when others are weak.
Love shows up when people simply need the presence of another.
Love does not judge based on past actions, rather it says, "I am here. I will remain here."
Love outlasts and overshadows death.
Love casts our fear.
Love breathes life into those who are ready to give up.
Love restores us from our past hurts and wrongdoings.
Love heals broken hearts.
Love looks into the eyes, hearts, and souls of those around us and says, "You are more. You are enough. You are precious. You are known. You are needed. You have a purpose. You are loved."
This list could go on and on forever. Real love is intentional, relational, and requires sacrifice.

So remember...
You are loved.
You can love again no matter what you have faced.
You are alive and with every breath can choose to love and love deeply.
Love God. Love this life. Love who you are. Love others.