Dizziness, sleepless nights, chills, loss of appetite, loss of concentration...
For some, these familiar symptoms could be malaria but for many, they are just love.
But are we in love? Or are we just obsessed with the idea of being in love? And what are the effects of this obsession with this romantic love? The true meaning of love as defined by the Bible has been corrupted in the common usage of our English language and society.
These days the constant need for emotional highs find many men seeking excitement outside their marriage with a girlfriend (or a string of them) leaving them emotionally unavailable at home. Women are by no means innocent. Many use boredom or neglect as an excuse to pour ourseves into our careers and reserve all our affection for the children, leaving nothing for their soul mates. As time goes by, they perfect the fake smiles and hugs for friends, relatives and anyone else who cares to observe. And then we ask why the divorce rate is so high? C'mon people!!! This is real life, not Titanic! It's because selfishness is not a viable marriage strategy.
If we love our spouses unconditionally, our love would not depend on their actions. In fact, no matter what they did, we would be willing to forgive. The romantic although necessary is a love eager to get instead of give. There is certainly a place for butterflies fluttering around in our stomachs, but if a love is going to stand the test of time, it will take the kind of intimacy described in 1Corinthians 13:14 to wade the storm. Love is kind, love is patient, trusting, hopeful, enduring. It is not boastful, jealous, rude, selfish or angry.
Jesus said the greatest commandment is to LOVE the Lord with all your mind and soul (Matt22:37) then he says you shall love your neighbour as yourself. The entire law is dependent on love. Unconditional love is more important than anything else. Let's direct our hearts to the love of God and remember our vows "to have and to hold for richer or poorer, in sickness, in health, for better, for worse..."
Ijeoma Olujekun
But are we in love? Or are we just obsessed with the idea of being in love? And what are the effects of this obsession with this romantic love? The true meaning of love as defined by the Bible has been corrupted in the common usage of our English language and society.
These days the constant need for emotional highs find many men seeking excitement outside their marriage with a girlfriend (or a string of them) leaving them emotionally unavailable at home. Women are by no means innocent. Many use boredom or neglect as an excuse to pour ourseves into our careers and reserve all our affection for the children, leaving nothing for their soul mates. As time goes by, they perfect the fake smiles and hugs for friends, relatives and anyone else who cares to observe. And then we ask why the divorce rate is so high? C'mon people!!! This is real life, not Titanic! It's because selfishness is not a viable marriage strategy.
If we love our spouses unconditionally, our love would not depend on their actions. In fact, no matter what they did, we would be willing to forgive. The romantic although necessary is a love eager to get instead of give. There is certainly a place for butterflies fluttering around in our stomachs, but if a love is going to stand the test of time, it will take the kind of intimacy described in 1Corinthians 13:14 to wade the storm. Love is kind, love is patient, trusting, hopeful, enduring. It is not boastful, jealous, rude, selfish or angry.
Jesus said the greatest commandment is to LOVE the Lord with all your mind and soul (Matt22:37) then he says you shall love your neighbour as yourself. The entire law is dependent on love. Unconditional love is more important than anything else. Let's direct our hearts to the love of God and remember our vows "to have and to hold for richer or poorer, in sickness, in health, for better, for worse..."
Ijeoma Olujekun
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