I love seeing people commit to love.
I believe love is not a feeling, but a commitment. A commitment to act in a certain way to those we say we love. My personal list contains those traits listed in I Corinthians 13. You may remember them.
- Patient
- Kind
- Never jealous
- Never boastful
- Never proud
- Never rude
- Isn’t selfish
- Isn’t quick- tempered
- Doesn’t keep a record of wrongs
- Rejoices in the truth, but not in evil
- Is always supportive
- Always loyal
- Always hopeful
- Always trusting
There are those people we say we love the most – our spouses, our partners, our children, our parents, our siblings, our other family members, and our close friends.
Still, I also believe in the biblical requirement to love our neighbor. I believe our neighbors are the rest of the people in the world.
It’s hard to do, isn’t it? We very human folk have a hard time with this. As for me, I try to review this list on occasion. Especially if I am having trouble with my relationships. Am I failing to do these things?
Still, I think the list is a good barometer to see who is actively loving us. Are they treating us this way?
The words “I love you” are not enough. Love is a commitment to actively exhibit these traits in our relationships with others and them with us.
You aren’t responsible for the behavior of others – but how are you doing? How committed to loving are you? I know there are times I need to work a bit harder.
And don’t forget to work at loving yourself. You need to love yourself well to love others well.
Invest in those things you love. I’m investing in committing to love.
“Be of love a little more careful than of anything.” – e.e. cummings
In the Box, Out of the Box 