To Speak In Love

To Whom It May Concern:

 

Since I seem to be stricken with the topic of love, why not view some different concepts and aspects of this magnanimous subject?

 

We have already looked at how 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 defines love:

          “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…”

 

And we have also contemplated a bit of how the world views love:

          “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”- Christian (Moulin Rouge)

“Love? Above all things I believe in love! Love is like oxygen. Love is a many-splendored thing. Love lifts us up where we belong. All you need is love!”- Christian (Moulin Rouge)

 

I hope we have established by now, the fact that God is love. The ultimate Agape Love, where none compares. It’s funny to think about how the Beetles have taught us that “All you need is love.” While keeping that line fresh in your mind, think back to God being love. If we were to interchange God and the word “love,” it would read, “All you need is God.” The world totally has it down! They just don’t know it. That, my friends, is one of the many signs of deception.

Now that I have established these points; let’s talk about relationships.

Instead of discussing the topic of relationships restricted to those of only romantic concern; I would like to embark on an adventure where all relationships are considered in whole. Stay with me, it’s not so complicated.

Whenever I talk about any relationship with my family or cohorts, I refer to it as a muscle. Yes, relationships are like muscles. How does a muscle become stronger? Anyone who has worked out before should know that in the midst of their exercises and training; they are tearing down their muscles. There is a reason that people cannot work-out continuously without periods of rest and that is due to the muscles’ neccessity to recover. After a muscle heals, it is not only larger, but stronger. With friends and lovers, our relationships will not and cannot grow without a tear from time to time. Whether that tear is caused by a fight or even an outside source and whether we like it or not; these biffs are not only just needed, but absolutely required! I’m not hinting that we should go and create arguments and drama with one another, as all that comes in time either way, but to maybe be thankful when they do arrive and are overcome.

Relationships also do not grow by fights alone, but sometimes when one is willing enough to confront someone when they are in the wrong. I’m not advising you to point out when disagreement is evident with someone, but when you notice that something is not of the Lord. And, it must be done out of love.

1 Cor. 13: 1-3

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”

 

Wow, that is intense. Bravo Paul.

Also, if you notice; a lot of times people will come together to work out. Almost like an accountability program to ensure that each remains in accordance to their committed work-out routine. People grow together sometimes by facing trials together.

Listen carefully now, as the reason for my writing of this piece is revealed. How else is muscle built aside from tearing it down? It’s a Monday morning and you’re at the gym. All the body builders are inside pumping weight that is equivalent to four of you and one of your fat, Great-Aunt Polly. Behind all of the tearing down a muscle goes through, there is another requirement; a diet. People who look to build their muscles are downing these shakes and drinks filled with Protein. Protein helps to aid in the building of muscles. It is a nutrient needed by our bodies. Nutritionists recommend a regular intake of protein to be 15% of one’s diet or .36 grams per pound of body weight per day. How does this connect to a relationship being like a muscle? Well now, let me tell you.

Like feeding our muscles protein, we must also feed our relationships. How often do we actually tell people who are close just how much they mean to us? This is one of the hardest things for people, and even me. Through telling someone how much they mean to us, we make ourselves vulnerable to them. To open up and share what lies deep within our hearts requires an immense amount of trust. I am usually pretty good at conveying my feelings to people, but even this area of doing so is incredibly difficult for me to accomplish. We all need to hear how much we mean to someone. At least I know I do. It is a comforting thing, and it builds a foundation. I don’t like to assume that I am important to someone, as assumptions can be often-times incorrect.

I’m not talking about telling everyone the shallow “I love you.” Mean it if you say it, if not, then don’t pervert the phrase. I’m talking about those who are close to us. Be honest; in sense of encouragement though. I would never want to hear about how much I don’t mean to someone.

We always hear, “Tell them how you feel, as you may not always have the chance to.” Not always having the chance to refers to death. That subject goes on to present how we will regret if we do not do so. As cliché as this is; it’s definitely the truth. As I was thinking about people that I love, and what it would be like if they died without me being able to truly express to them how much they mean to me.. my heart broke.

I am currently faced with the reality of having to say good-bye once again to a dear friend of mine. This man, aside from blood, is my brother. He was the first one I have truly ever looked up to. He taught me not only what it was like to have a Godly brother that I could wish to be like, but exhorted me in the ways of the Lord. I have to give God credit to being my hero first and foremost, but this man is definitely His sidekick. This man’s name is Brian Mede. He was there for me in ways no one has ever been. He was the first youth pastor to take a real interest in me, and worked to be my friend. After becoming my friend, he pursued to be one of my greatest mentors by not only discipling me, but being used by God to show me the correct return-route when backslidden in the 9^th grade. Through-out this time I grew to love Brian, and refused to see him as any less than a best friend and brother. I don’t think that I will ever be able to express how important he is to me in my entire lifetime. Off the top of my head I can name a select few people outside my family that I absolutely need in my life, and he is one of them. I don’t think he will ever understand just how much he means to me. But how would he ever come close to understanding, if I never attempt to tell him? To say all this to his face has proven to be quite difficult. I think it’s especially hard because I am a guy and am not so open with feelings like a woman would be with her best friend. Guys are portrayed as brutes and warriors who have no feelings or cares. They play football, and enjoy inflicting pain on one another. I don’t think that people tell each other enough how much they mean to one another. This is the protein that a muscle requires. I think that the way I feel for my dearest friends are not for the weak at heart, but I think everyone feels this way towards those closest to us in our lives. 

I don’t need to type up any specific verse to prove to you that God is constantly telling us how much he loves and cares for us. It is through-out the whole entire Bible. He did more than say how much He loves us; He literally gave his only begotten Son. I realize now, that I don’t need to only feel the reciprocated love from a romantic source, but also from a source of platonic-nature. We all do.

Here is a point that I need to delve on. As God continually makes clear His love for us, it is essential that we remind Him of the love we have for Him. What’s that? You say that He already knows? Well that doesn’t matter. Because in reminding Him how much we love Him, we place the very fact fresh in our own minds, thus helping us to keep a clear focus on Him. Remember feeding protein to our relationship with God is necessary. Also remember that every relationship requires a tearing of the muscle to grow. A couple ways that is done with our relationship with God:

1). When we backslide, but overcome our dark times; we grow even closer to the Lord, and are more reliant on Him. It also helps us to understand a bit of His ways. Now none of us need go and purposely fall, because we are always falling in our short-comings. And we all have those dark periods in our lives.

2). Going through trials not only perfect us, but they teach us patience in our Father. Through the perfection trials cause in us, a perfection is caused in our relationship with Him as we learn to rely and trust in Him.

 

As relationships go through many testings, so does our’s with God.

Learn to feed your relationships protein. It is an overlooked ingredient that is more than necessary. It is desired by all.

 

-Midnight

As a child I remember praying that the Lord would provide me a Jonathon in my life and He has.  Brian Mede is that Jonathon. (1 Samuel 20:41-42)