I Found Love
No, this is not what you’re thinking. I’m not here to tell you about a new
boyfriend in my life, and I’m not here to tell you that “Jesus is my bf!” I
have entered a season in life where it’s very common for friends of mine to
feel like they need a
boyfriend/girlfriend; and there’s nothing wrong with wanting this. Needing
this, however, is a different story. As I see people feeling depressed and unwanted
simply because they don’t have a date to prom a significant other, it really
bothers me. When it comes down to it, we
all want to be loved. Romantically,
respectfully, and admirably. However, somewhere along the way we have distorted
this romantic love into a necessity for fulfillment. Love is something we need, yes, but a
boyfriend/girlfriend is not the only way to happiness and fulfillment.
The truth: You
are loved.
Before dipping into the Word, can I remind you of
something? There are people who deeply
love and care about you. For some of us,
this may mean our parents, others; a close friend or mentor. Sure, this love is not romantic. However, it is something we must cherish. When it comes down to it, I’m a selfish,
mistake-making, imperfect individual.
Yet I am loved.
Too often, we take a single person and label them as “unloved”
or “undesirable” simply because of a relationship status. Sounds silly, but I see people do it every
day! In reality, a relationship status is rather irrelevant to the great value
every person has. And nothing
demonstrates the value of every individual better than what God did for us.
We all know it, but just in case you forgot…
“For
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
When you think about it, giving up a son is
a huge sacrifice. When I think of the
people closest to me, I wonder if I could sacrifice like God did. Nonetheless, He must have found us pretty
important to give up the one dearest to Him.
The truth: Love
is something exciting and fun, not something meant to tear you down.
In the beginning of Genesis, we observe that God created
man, then created woman. As God says, “It’s not good for the
Man to be alone; I’ll make him a helper, a companion.” God gave us the
opportunity of this close companionship with a significant other, but He never
states the necessity for this gift. God
will meet all our needs (Isaiah 41:10),
romantic love is just a little bonus ;). So it’s not the end of the world if you don’t have that “special someone.”
The truth: Love
is not meant for your decoration, but is a dedication;
a declaration.
Often times, we want a boyfriend/girlfriend because they
spice up our life. They make us happy,
they boost our self-esteem, or they improve our image. But really, is that what love is about at
all?
Love is patient, love is kind. It does
not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not
dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no
record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices
with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always
hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
When we search for love (romantically, or NOT romantically)
in the ways the Bible describes, we find something entirely different than the butterflies
or confidence we may receive from a so-called “decoration.” Rather, we may recognize the people placed in
our lives that have given us this great gift.
We recognize the gift of love God has
given us.
So truthfully, I have found love. Whether or not romantic love comes, I have
been blessed with love that’s far more fulfilling than any relationship. God loved me so much, that He took the time
to create me. He made the sacrifice of
His son to die for me. And he did the
same for you. Now that is love.
-Tamara
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