Love is....

© Ginnie Johnson, Oil Painting from her collection of 8 styles of Fine Art

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

What a beautiful, thorough picture of real love. Though you might be thinking, "This is a tall order! How can I really exhibit this kind of love in my life?" You may have recently even said, "I really need to work on loving more."

But read the verse this way:

Jesus is patient
Jesus is kind
Jesus does not envy
Jesus does not boast
Jesus is not proud
Jesus does not dishonor others
Jesus is not self seeking
Jesus is not easily angered
Jesus keeps no record of wrongs (woo hoo!)
Jesus does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth
Jesus always protects
Jesus always trusts
Jesus always hopes
Jesus always perseveres
Jesus never fails

If you have accepted Jesus Christ into your life, Jesus will do these 15 things in and through you! You don't need to "love better" or "work harder to love" - you just need more of Jesus! As you daily spend time with Him, you will feel His love rush into your heart so you are able to pour out to others. Then, when your roommate or sister forgets to return the shirt they borrowed, Jesus will cause you respond with patience. When you receive honor from man: awards, leadership positions, promotions, etc, Jesus will cause you to be humble, not proud. When your mom criticizes your outfit, Jesus will cause you to not be easily angered. When someone spreads a rumor about you or is rude to your face, Jesus will cause you to keep no record of wrongs and love them anyway. When all your friends are gossiping or picking someone apart, Jesus will prompt you to redirect the conversation (rejoicing in the truth) instead of joining in (delighting in evil). If a boy cheats on you, Jesus will cause you to trust again so you can love fully.

King's daughter, do not look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 with intimidation or a "to do list" mentality. Look at it with relief, knowing that Jesus embodies every characteristic of love and "He is in you both to will and to do the Father's good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).