I don't know that I coined the phrase "Love is as love does", but I do say it a lot. I also say "God makes more" when someone asks if they can have the last cookie, or take the last this or that. My first and usual response is, "No worries, God makes more" because I know I can go here or there and pick up another whatever it was. I don't like to think I'm bound by limits; if something runs out, I go get more. If that becomes impossible to do at some point, I may have to start being less giving and really, I don't want that to ever happen. I pray that never actually happens.
It's the same with "Love is as Love Does" because people do things, and whether they do it out of love or duty, they end up holding another person hostage by obligation at times. I don't like that. I don't want to be that way. I wouldn't want to feel like I need to be paid back, and I wouldn't want to feel that I had to pay something back if it was given to me. You know what I mean. There are those who say they love you, and then do something for you so they can get something from you. It happens. It has happened to me too, and it never really set well with me. I always felt that when I felt obligated I didn't feel loved. Not really. I didn't feel that way with my parents when they gave to me. I didn't ever feel that way when my grandpa gave me something or showed me how much he cared for me. It's with other relationships I suppose; the romantic type, the friend type, the colleague type, even the church going friend or associate type. At work you can usually expect to be obligated but that's not really love. It's duty.
Love is as love does is something I try to keep close to my soul. I think out loud about it, I think silently about it. I try to ask myself if what I'm doing or planning to do (or wish I could do) is out of selfishness, thoughtfulness, duty, or what? I want to know. I want to act ONLY if it is out of love. I don't ever want to say those words "I love you" and then do something expecting to be paid back. Never. I just really really don't want that. I hope that I can say "I love you" and out of my pocket or heart give willingly, openly, and genuinely, so that whatever the person needs, the person I said I love you to, whatever they need - - they can have whatever I can offer. If I can't offer it, and I do love them, I will try to find a way. I won't simply say, "I love you, but I can't help". I will say (even if I don't use the words) "I love you, let's see what we can come up with to make a difference." It doesn't always work, but I do want that for my soul.
You know those people who "wish you the best" and then say "Love you", or "I really love you brother/sister, you mean so much to me" but if you were in need (real need) they would find a reason not to help you because it would take time, it would possibly take money, and God forbid they give up comfort! No, love is as love does. If someone really does love you, and their spirit is humbled before God in their devotion to you, they will find a way. It may hurt, and it may be really hard on them too, but they will do what they know to do; and that's ask Jesus for the peace only He can bring. Does that sound really "churchy"? Well, where do you think LOVE came from, folks? We didn't create it.
Love is as love does. God gave us His only Son out of LOVE. Jesus laid down His very life, for love. Love, I may add, for all souls, not just the ones we like and think deserve it. No, He died for Vladimir Putin the very same as He died for Billy Graham! Ol' Vlad may not say so, but you know Billy would be the first to give a nod. Jesus literally commended His love for us, in that while we were dead and living in our sins, died for us. (Romans 5:8). If you are suffering, and you've reached out, but no one is willing to help you - - even so called friends, family, fans, or church members who wave and blow empty kisses to you; well, that's not love. It's a kind of love maybe, but not love. It's a liking perhaps, but it's not love. It's not something you can count on, and it's certainly not something you can trust. We all do that to others; I'm not innocent of it either. I want that to change.
I don't want to use the words too generously. I don't want to throw those words out as if they blanket everything and everyone. I am not God. I can't give that much. I can't care that much. I can't begin to understand His ability to genuinely love me and the rest of the world as much as He does. I can do what I can do. I can love who(m) I can love. I can give what I can give, and I can pray for the help I know He is willing to supply if I can't find it myself. Do I love? I do. The ones I love know I do love them. They know I will literally give my last for them if I had to. I am faithful to know I am not alone in my giving, I have the Father and I have Christ. It's not always easy, and from time to time it has cost me far more than I ever imagined it would, but it hasn't lessened my love for them...not one bit. Love is as love does.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (Matt: 7:12)
No comments:
Post a Comment