what is love?

I don't think I'll ever stop learning about love.. especially since God IS Love, and I'll never stop learning about Him! Anyway, I've had a very trying week at the dorms. My mom had to remind me that I'm there for a reason, and that Jesus promises us persecution. And, there were all these clear signs of spiritual warfare - something else my mom pointed out. (I have a wonderful mom, btw).

So, I have different verses from all over the Bible all over my dorm room, cut out like cartoony speech bubbles (think comic strips). To be honest, most of the time, I hardly notice them. But, there are times that one catches my eye and I read Acts 2:42 right when I need to, when God is speaking to my heart about community. Or, I'll read Luke 6:32-34 right when I need to remember to love those who seem to hate me; when I'm covered in self-pity (selfish self-pity!); when I'm sulking and thinking only of myself.

What else is going on? Well, the love of my life leaves in two days to go to Ohio for two weeks, then to po-dunk something-or-other in Arizona for four weeks, and then back to Ohio until the wedding. Luckily, he'll be back between all those destination changes, and for Memorial Day. I am NOT excited for him to be gone for ten weeks! That's twice as long as I was in Uganda, but with better communication and visits. I seriously can't comprehend how much my life is going to change without him here all the time. It's going to stink! ... but then we get married!

Anyway, here's some Good News for all of you this morning. I've loved this passage since God showed it to me in Uganda to show me how much of a stupid sheep I can be, and what Love is all about.


Luke 6
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.





Love,

Elizabeth