What is love anyway?

(Originally posted at CrossroadsWomenLink@yahoogroups.com on Tue Nov 16, 2004 )

Me: Sometimes I'm not sure I love anyone. What is love anyway?
God: I am love. Do you have me?

Several years ago, I memorized the 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians as part of discipleship class. I've pondered that chapter quite often over the years. Thinking that is my measuring stick of whether or not I love others. Today, God revealed a different perspective to me. As I thought through the list of "love is...", I definitely do not measure up. Then the Holy Spirit highlighted the opening verses of that chapter (that's his job, ya know - to remind us and teach us).

Most translations say something like "If you... but have not love...". Ok, this may not be new to anyone but me so just be happy for me. "Love" is a noun, not a verb. My spiritual journey is a process of transformation. Like a Lego toy that transforms from one creation to another, we have to make sure we have all the parts if we want it to look like the image on the box. God is love. My ability to reflect the image of God is not determined by how I act, but by what I have.

Look at the last verse of I Corinthians 13 "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." You can find a definition of "faith" in Hebrews 11. Hope is wishing for something, expecting it to happen. These two words are an indication of where our focus is. Both indicate that our focus is on something beyond our control. Love is also beyond our control. Our focus (faith and hope)is to be on Love. Not on the act of loving, but on having love in us, transforming us into the image of true love. As that happens we will become more loving. But the transformation comes from focusing on the noun, not the verb.

Got love?