Love is the emotion of strong affection and personal attachment.[1] In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. In religious context, love is not just a virtue, but the basis for all being ("God is love"[2]), and the foundation for all divine law (Golden Rule). (wikipedia citation.)
Love is a virtue that I know little about. Love of self (different than self-centeredness, which I have plenty of), love of others, and love of God are experiences I have only just begun. I read poetry and other writings describing the experiences others have with love in their life and I have a hard time relating at a core-deep level. I asked God to help me experience this type of love and I believe his answer was that I first must experience it in my relationship with him and with myself before my soul can connect with another's in a deep experience of love. I have faith that if I continue to enlarge my spiritual life, I will come to love God, myself, and others in a way I have never known. For this I am so hopeful and grateful.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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, and always perseveres. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor. 13:4–7, 13 NIV)
I absolutely adore that scripture!
ReplyDeleteLove is a complex and wonderful thing. The photo is so beautiful.
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