Christian Living
“Love not for Him, but for Others”
Monday, June 6, 2005 †
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love” (John 15:9).
I don’t know about you, but as a kid I was a big fan of fairytales. Of course being a dreamy little girl, some of my favorites would start off with “Once upon of time …” and then end with “… and they lived happily ever after.” Oh, I thought those tales were great for they always told a story about my favorite subject LOVE. The more I read them, the more I grew to like them and believe in them. And why not since love in a fairytale world was always perfect. Love was easy, never demanding, and required little work, effort or sacrifices from everyone involved. It was like striking big on a large lottery and not having to pay one cent to taxes. No, in a fairytale love indeed was always perfect, and hence, the ending was never anything less then “… they lived happily ever after.”
Unfortunately, reality offers a much different look and feel to love. Sure it still has all of its great rewards such as giving you a feeling of elation, happiness, and warmth. It is almost guaranteed to make you feel more complete as a person and sometimes it could even make you a better person. But do not be fooled, such a grand prize comes with an equally grand price. True love, as we all know, requires much work from everyone involved. It requires constant commitment, dedication, surrender, giving, compromises, and yes, sometimes even heartaches and disappointments. Without these elements love would not be as fulfilling and chances are we would not grow as individuals or as couples because of it. Today we use the word “love” so freely that we often forget what love really is. And because of that, many couples enter marriage with a false fairytale like impression of how their love would be, and the minute reality shows its face those same couples think that there is something wrong with their love or that love is over so divorce is the only solution. This is how I see love existing amongst mankind. But these realities of love does not change when we share love with another life form, be it a pet, a country, a belief, and definitely a god.
To be in love with Christ demands nothing less from us. As a matter of fact, it may even sometimes demand a lot more from us. When we say we are in a loving relationship with God, we are saying that we are willing to endure all that the reality of love requires. God wants us to love as Christ loved when He was here on Earth. But the love of Christ, unlike the love of man, is given not for the sake or rewards of God Himself, but rather for the fulfillment of others in glory of His name. The life of a Christian is basically a life that is molded in the image of Jesus’ life. The life of Jesus was always about love, and the love of Christ involves true GENEROSITY and SACRIFICE. To follow Christ and serve our fellow mankind in His name requires courage and strength. There is no place for selfishness, and no place for fear. To truly love God means to give (what ever the gift maybe) from our needs, not from our surplus. This is the true definition of generosity. Our late Pope John Paul II asked us to, “Heed the call of Christ when you hear Him saying to you: “Follow me!” Walk in my path! Stand by my side! Remain in my love. There is a choice to be made: a choice for Christ and His way of life, and His commandment of love. Real love is demanding.”
Ask yourselves do you have real love in your life? Have you answered to the sacrifices when the Lord asked them of you? Jesus has given us a mission, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21). “If a man loves Me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23). So, do not be afraid when you are called upon to love more like Christ. Serve your God by serving your earthly brothers and sisters with all your strength. Your efforts will not go unnoticed by the Lord Most High, and be assured He will reward you 10 folds greater.
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