What is Love?

What is Love?

    Throughout society, we say that we value love because of how it makes us feel and what it allows us to accomplish.  Would you die for someone that you love? I think that if you truly love someone you would be willing to do anything for that person.  But what is unconditional love?  Love isn’t just a feeling, because feelings come and go.  But it is a desire to continually pursue someone or something and see them achieve their highest good.  As humans, we all desire to be loved by someone and to love someone else. Although it can be hard, like any relationship, it is well worth the work if you are willing to put in the effort.

    It is important to have a reason and place of origin from where your values come from.  When we say things like ‘Love is Love’ or ‘YOLO’ it can seem so trite. True love is so much deeper than ‘Love is Love.’  Our values represent who we are and what we stand for. When we say we love our neighbor, does that mean we wish them well?  Or does it mean we put our day on hold when a crisis comes up in their world? Love has always been a central value in our cultures from the beginning of time.  Many artists from Shakespeare to Taylor Swift, have tried to capture what love is through their poems, plays, and songs.  As humans, we are always trying to find the deeper meaning of love and what it means to us.

    Love is a choice and you choose to love because you want to see what you love to meet its full potential.  Love is more than a feeling or emotion, it is so much deeper. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) Whether you believe in the Bible or not this statement sums up what love has always been and what it continues to be.  I think many people search and want this love for themselves. So, what is love to you and where do you find it?