There are many young people in my life right now who seem to be on different planets. Some are heading off to new adventures, full of life, full of promise. Some are so hurt and so lost that they are acting out in unhealthy ways. Some are just living, going from situation to situation; just waiting to see what’s going to happen next.
Every day I wonder how best to love each of them.
A few weeks ago, my pastor talked about love. He spoke about our culture’s definition of love; always agreeing, affirming and/or approving of another’s life. He spoke about what a cheap form of love this is.
This kind of love has no heart to heart talks, sets no boundaries, gives no advice and will waffle when things get too hard or weird.
Isn’t a deep and expensive love the thing we all crave the most? The love which will stand up and tell me when I’m wrong, and love me anyway. The love which will sacrifice comfort in order to make me comfortable, and love me anyway. The love which will come beside me when life is hard, catching my tears, rubbing my back and love me anyway. A love which gives encouragement, declares truth and inspires change.
How can I give this deep, expensive love to the people in my life?
As I look back through my prayer journal a piece of the puzzle falls into place.
Romans 12:9 – Love from the center of who you are. (MSG version)
My head holds my intelligence.
My face will change depending on my mood or circumstance
My heart houses my emotions and feelings.
But my gut is the center of who I am. My soul. My conscience. My truth. The undeniable point when I know that I know.
Love is to come from my gut.
If I am to love the people in my life well, my love for them has to come from my gut. The center of who I am. The piece of me given over to a Savior who has promised to guide me. The place where divine truth is planted and where my identity can be found.
My gut, my center, my core is where absolute truth resides. The place where my opinions, my fleeting thoughts and my wishes come to die when held up to the blistering light of absolute truth.
Do I have the courage, the strength to love the people in my life like this?
Love from the center of who you are.
When others disappoint you.
When dealing with loss.
When crying in anguish.
Love from the center of who you are.
When dancing for joy.
When embarking on adventure.
When laughing till it hurts.
Love from the center of who you are.
Let Christ be my truth.
Let God be the center of my being.
Let the Holy Spirit communicate love through me.
Love from the center of who you are.
The Years of My Pilgrimage 