“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Love is like the sun; its warmth can be felt and seen by all, bringing light and life to everything it touches. Are you in love? Many people experience a feeling of strong affection for someone else, but is this real love or something else? To understand what it means to be in love, one must look at John 3:16 again. In this, we can see how true and unconditional love is: God’s gift of His son was out of pure and sacrificial adoration for all humankind. That’s why we all agree that love is a gift from God; to benefit from it, we must cherish it with all our hearts and accept it as His blessing.

True love is also sacrificial and selfless. It involves putting another’s needs before your own; understanding their feelings; wanting the best for them even if it means suffering loss or hurting yourself; and sharing good times while supporting each other through bad times. The Bible contains various descriptions of love and how it should operate within relationships. The Bible tells us that God’s idea of true love is unselfish, unconditional, sacrificial, and forgiving. It is expressed through giving and self-sacrifice for another person’s benefit rather than our own.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast; it is not proud. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no account of wrongs.”

The Bible states that real love does not look to its interests but to the needs of others (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). This concept focuses on considering another person’s feelings and showing genuine care for them over self-gratification or gain. It’s no secret that love has the power to shape the world around us in a profound way. It can soften even the hardest of hearts, bring joy to those who have lost hope, and make impossible dreams possible. As children of God, we are blessed with an extraordinary potential for showing love—to ourselves, our families and friends, and even strangers.

Like a rosebush naturally produces beautiful blooms when it is tended to properly with water, sunlight, and soil; similarly, we have been gifted with everything necessary to nurture unconditional love within us. When we are willing to take time out of our day to cultivate love through prayerful meditation, acts of kindness towards others, or self-care practices like journaling or stretching, the most beautiful kind of love will begin to blossom within us. Love is an exquisite journey, so enjoy the ride! Proverbs 10:12 says, “Hatred stirreth up strife: but love covered all sins.”

Prayer:
1. Oh Lord, let the flames of passion in my heart burn brightly as I seek You in prayer and worship.
2. Holy Spirit, give me a heart full of faith, trust, and desire—a pure heart devoted solely to my God and King. In Jesus’ name. Amen.