Love is Active
One of the most important lessons I ever learned was this:
Just because someone says “I Love you” doesn’t mean they really love you. They might think they do. They might feel like they do.
If anything though, it may be a fleeting emotion. When it feels good, we want to express it. And state it. And say the words thinking that the words will suffice in the moment.
For a long time, the words “I Love You“ were Just words. I believe with everything I have that love is active. Love is movement. Love is revealed by the actions that we see. Because when you love someone or something, it compels you toward action, because you want it to be known.
Say I love you, without saying I love you. I got this prompt for today’s post from @createthelove on Instagram. Here are some ways I say I love you without saying I love you to the people that matter to me:
”I bought you this because I know you had been needing it.”
”Take these vitamins“
”I made us Some food.”
”I picked up some coffee for you.”
”I hear you.”
”I understand you.”
”I got you.”
”Go recharge. Sounds like you need a break.”
”I am proud of you for working so hard.”
”Let’s watch a show together.”
”Let’s have some time together, just the two of us.”
Love is also looking in someone’s eyes when they are speaking. Love is putting down the phone when you are together and engaging with them (I know….I need to do better in this area).
Love is unselfish. Love invests in one another. Love is not chaotic or volatile. Love truly forgives. Love does not demand. Love is generous.
Our emotional selves tend to want to focus on those feelings and butterflies when we have someone in our lives. But that is not always going to be the case.
Life can be boring, stressful, busy. The majority of us wear many hats and we have a lot on our plates. Loving others in abundance means service and sacrifice at times. Love is not expecting or demanding anything in return.
And if you don’t have a partner currently? Maybe just your kids or your family?
The same idea applies.
Maybe you are alone?
Love your friends the same way.
And love yourself.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is often used in wedding ceremonies, and it is such a beautiful passage of love and how the gospel defines it. After all, Jesus‘a sacrifice is The ultimate display of love.
The sacrifice of Himself for us, as sinners, undeserving of such grace and mercy.
That is how He said I love you, without saying I love you.
While I am not stating that you have to die on a cross to display love toward someone, but what are you displaying outwardly so that a person knows that you love them and care for them?
Love is action, not simply an emotion.
Let’s love our people and show them, not just tell them.
In Him,
Tiffany Rhea