What Is Love?

Hello! So yesterday I went to a bookstore (*girly scream*) and I got 2 new books! One was a Star Wars book and the other is called I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris. I saw it on the shelf and I was debating about getting it, I knew my mom had always wanted me to read it. I just felt I should get it. From page 1 I knew I would love it. I'm only a few chapters in but I love it! I would highly recommend it to anyone. But I was also going over 1 Corinthians 13 and I decided to start a series on it. It'll be called 'What is Love?' In each post I will go into each characteristic of love described in that chapter.

   So today I'm going to talk about love being patient. Now, first of all let's look at what the word 'love' actually means. There are a lot of different kinds of love. This particular passage is talking about agape love. That means unconditional love. This in the kind of love that Christ has for us. This should also be the kind of love we should strive to give. Because we should want to be like Christ in every way, including how we love one another.

  The word 'patient' in Greek is 'makrothymeo' and it means "to be of a long spirit and to never lose hope. To persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes or troubles. To be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others." I really love that definition. I feel like when people think of 'patient' they think of waiting. While yes that's true, but its also enduring bravely.

   I also think that in today's world it means a lot for love to be patient. Think about teenage girls and how they go about dating and flirting around with guys for fun. Love should be patient. And that means waiting on God to bring the right man into your life. It also means being patient and loving someone even when they show you know love. We love because God taught us how to love. 

   Be patient. Even when the person you're loving doesn't love you back, you wait and do what God has asked of you. It's not a simple task but we shouldn't have choice. God has commanded us to love one another. Just a wise word of advice: 1. don't question God. 2. If He tells you to do something, DO IT!