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| Picture: Cathal mac an breath (Unsplash) |
Well, it's that time of year again, Valentine's Day. The Hallmark Channel on steroids!
Forgive my cynicism. I'm all about showing love. And as Dionne Warwick once sang, What the World Needs Now is Love...
WHAT WE DON'T NEED IS HYPOCRISY!
Grabbing a card from the Dollar Tree, grocery store flowers, maybe a stuffed animal or boxed candy and calling it love! I'm not knocking any of these as long as the Giver has put some thought into it! But if you're doing it just for show...then send me a text with an emoji!
But Sisters, how do you respond to something like that when you really want to hold onto the relationship? When you vowed to God you'd hang in there no matter what if you're married!
Many Christian women are in relationships that are high maintenance and just down right messy! It's not that you are unequally yoked 2 Corinthians 6:14 but you have a spouse or significant other who doesn't affirm you the way you desire. A great guy in every other way but not fluent in your particular love language!
These DIFFICULT relationships require more than a once or twice a year compulsory show of affection. They need something EXTRA to survive! Something stronger than sentiment, more authentic than materialistic expressions hyped by culture. THEY NEED ANCHORED LOVE!
ANCHORED LOVE DEFINED
Click Here: Luke 6:27-36
Anchored love is living out the mandate of Jesus who compels us to love those who don't deserve it. To serve without thank yous, sacrifice without complaining, and to forgive over and over. It is the essence of Agape love-- unconditional and usually non-reciprocal. Different than Eros love (romantic, emotional, or physical) it does not dissipate over time! More intense than Philia love (friendship) which has its place in marriage but if that's all you have it's no more than a transactional agreement--what you can get out of it! Agape love is the highest form of love!
When you don't get the attention or gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and the like, Anchored love will remind you that beautiful flowers will die! Candy will be eaten with nothing left but wrappers in a few days! Jewelry will get lost among the multitude of other items in your jewelry box! But not so with Anchored love!
ANCHORED LOVE SEALED
Click Here: Ephesians 1:13
Messy relationships are hard but are easier to navigate if they are sealed in Christ. This is a fact! You can't show or receive Anchored love with grace on your own. John 15:5b reminds us that without God we can do nothing. Without the Holy Spirit you will not love the way Christ commands. Reliance on the Holy Spirit enables you to love past disappointments! Feel joy in meager efforts of affection! And keep you from Facebook Envy as you scroll through pictures of elaborate gifts and dinner! You have peace knowing your true self worth and are satisfied that bills are paid, your children are cared for; and when you really need him, he'll be there! This is the Spiritual fruit of a love sealed in the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22)
ANCHORED LOVE DELIVERED
Click Here: Romans 5:8
No Valentine exists that can compare with the love Christ shows for those who trust in Him! From the time of Adam, we've had a messy relationship with the Lord! Yet, He loves us still! We are the crown of His creation (Psalm 8:5). On Calvary He sent His love to us signed sealed and delivered! A valentine fashioned on a blood-stained cross. With the stripes from beatings He wrote to the world: Will You Be Mine!? An Elaborate dinner awaits all who will accept Him as Savior (Revelation 19:6-9) and we are sealed forever more in His love (Ephesians 4:30)!
Dear Sisters, Dionne was right! What the world needs now IS LOVE but NOT the artificial kind! We need ANCHORED LOVE.... even if it comes wrapped in MESSY RELATIONSHIPS!
UNTIL NEXT TIME...
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