Love is one of the most overused, misused, misunderstood and perhaps even abused words in the English language.
Love can be false. This pretentious love occurs when someone manipulates another, as illustrated by the following humorous example. “Dearest Jimmy, no words could ever express the great unhappiness I’ve felt since breaking our engagement. Please say that you’ll take me back. No one could ever take your place in my heart and life. Please forgive me. I love you, love you, love you! Yours forever, Marie. PS: Congratulations on your winning the state lottery.”
There is also fleshly love. The movie industry is filled to the brim with this. Couples are portrayed consistently and continually as “falling in love” when in fact all they’ve really done is fallen into bed.
I used to think that this was only in Hollywood movies, but I’m afraid that to an increasingly and uncomfortable degree, this casual approach to so-called love is reflected in modern-day culture.
On a more positive note, there is what I call forged love. Love based on enduring commitments that are forged out of the ups and downs and contentions ... even the occasional catastrophes of life. I’m reminded of Gary Smalley, who videotaped and marketed his, “Love Is a Decision” video series.
In his lectures, he tells the story of his family planning a camping trip with their motor-home. He instructed his family to have everything packed and neatly piled by the door so that when he arrived home, he could simply pull the motorhome up to the door and pack it.
Arriving home, he was alarmed to see an ambulance, a police car and an emergency vehicle in his driveway.
It was fairly obvious what had happened. His loving wife, wanting to be of the most help that she could be, had decided to move the motorhome up to the front door and load it herself.
The plan was well-intentioned but poorly orchestrated. She managed to tear off the side of the house and the roof of the motor-home in one disastrous action.
Gary said that he was certainly stressed and anxious, but somehow he managed to tell his wife, “Honey, you should’ve left the motor-home where it was, but I still love you!”
Then there is forever love. The most dedicated loving couple cannot have forever love. Even our vows to each other, though heartfelt and endearing, only last “until death do us part.”
Only God can provide truly eternal, undying love.
“There is nothing you can to do make God love you more! There is nothing you can do to make God love you less! His love is Unconditional, Impartial, Everlasting, Infinite, Perfect!” — Richard Halverson
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Pastor Ross Helgeton is the senior pastor of Erskine Evangelical Free Church.
— Faith & Reflection