Does Love Conquer All?

Or, it isn’t about me

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 NIV

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” Lao Tzu

If you believe Love is a Person, Jesus. Yes. He conquered all, even death. It was about us, while we were still hostile.

If you believe it will happen here on Earth. I don’t think so. The world is fatally flawed and temporary. Jesus said He overcame the world and his peace He gives us, not as the world gives.

I loved my husband very much and yet my love did not cure him or stop his death. I’ve had people, possibly well-meaning, tell me to have more faith. Well, love is greater than faith and my husband still died. Even if I had the courage to lay down my life for my husband, he still would have died. Even those Jesus healed eventually died. This world is temporary.

I know a parent whose young son died. I know this parent loved her son. I know she aches every day. I know she hurts when she sees other parents attend their children’s school plays, graduations and weddings. Family reunions are a nightmare! Did love overcome?

Or am I not perfected in love?

Not perfect yet. That must be why I’m still here learning how to love as our Father loves.

For instance:

Love is not about me.

People can’t love me the way I want them to. They love me the way they can. My sister’s idea of love is lots of gifts for Christmas. Mine is a well-thought-out card with something special about us written inside the card. Neither is wrong. Just different. I love my sister so I start scouting for fun and caring gifts during the after-holiday sales.

Some believe you have to love yourself first before you can love another. Possibly. I believe we must take in and really contemplate how much we are loved by the Father and the rest will follow. It’s not about me.

Nagging, criticizing or controlling another is not love. It will destroy the relationship like a slow-dripping faucet can destroy. When I was a young bride, I nagged a lot. I manipulated: “If you care, you would…”  Loving feelings were replaced by resentment and disapproval. We divorced. No one was happy or wise in this and our son got the brunt of it. It isn’t about me.

Love is not a feeling. It sure can be but don’t count on this—feelings are fleeting. How many nights have you been with your flu-stricken child in the bathroom? That loving feeling just isn’t there. The action of love surely is. It’s about the child. Or, letting go of someone who is toxic is a loving thing to do for you and the other. Time for the Father to sort it out. He knows all intimately. It isn’t about me.

Musings

Expectations. From selfish expectations of others and myself to “playing God,”  I’ve run over others and wounded and discouraged myself. Something isn’t working. Back to basics: God so loved the world…Love God with all my heart, mind and soul and my neighbor as myself. Back to learning love from the person who is love, Jesus.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for Your love that knows no limits, never stops and always overcomes. We want to be like Your Son whose love conquered all. We start with baby steps.

Amen.