God is love

This past week I read 1 John 4:8 and the last part of it just jumped off the page to me- "...for God IS love" Now this is something I have often read, heard, and thought... but this week it was different. God IS love... It's what defines Him - his personality, his actions, his very nature. It amazes me that anything I want to know about this infinite and mighty God can be summed up in one seemingly small 4 letter word that has a meaning far deeper than I could ever begin to describe. LOVE....
Love- Created me. 
Love- Set me free. 
Love- Gave me purpose. 
Love- Saved me.


I read a quote that said "Love isn't something God does- It is who He is" 
He IS my creator, my freedom, my purpose, my Savior.... 
and as 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes:
He IS patient and kind. He is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. He does not demand His own way. He is not irritable, and He keeps no record of being wronged. He does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. He never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.


How beautiful is that! He keeps no record of it when I wrong Him. He is patient with me. He never loses faith in me or gives up on me. He will endure through every circumstance. He will always BE kind. Wow... 

But here's the thing...And this part really gets me sometimes.... I am suppsed to walk through this life as a reflection of Him. So, MY life should be defined by this love. Love should not be something I "do"- but who I am.
I've been learning through this week that there are so many people in this world that don't need you to "do" anything but just "BE love to them"
Maybe it's by being patient with them when they cut you off in traffic, Giving a kind smile when they need cheering up, or by forgiving even when they have clearly done something against you.

My prayer is that we would BE LOVE- everywhere we go because you never know how far it will grow! When I leave this Earth I want to leave a legacy of love. I want people to remember me as a woman who loved much and loved well. 

Just a Journal Entry from today...

I’m sitting at Panera Bread, Brooke Fraser on my Ipod, and thinking about all the Lord has been doing in my life over the past few months. I’ve been blown away by His goodness and faithfulness!

It has never been clearer to me that He is the Great I Am. Everthing I am not, He is, and that right there is enough for me to trust in, rely on, and believe in Him.

So many times I have found myself relying on my own strength, wisdom, and ability. These past few months have continually reminded me time and time again how I can do NOTHING apart from my King Jesus. Different circumstances and situations have brought me out of my comfort zone and put me in places where I could ONLY depend on Him. I’ve been challenged, and through my struggle I have learned so much. Throughout this time I’ve never been more sure of the importance of His presence in my life, His power being made perfect in my weaknesses, and His purpose being fulfilled for my life. 

Love.

The following is an expanded translation of First Corinthians 13:4-8 by Rick Renner. A friend of mine gave me a framed picture of this translation that I keep on my nightstand. Every time I read it, I'm challenged and inspired...

• Love patiently and passionately bears with others for as long as patience is needed;
• Love doesn’t demand others to be like itself; rather, it is so focused on the needs of others that it bends over backwards to become what others need it to be;
• Love is not ambitious, self-centered, or so consumed with itself that it never thinks of the needs or desires that others possess;
• Love doesn’t go around talking about itself all the time, constantly exaggerating and embellishing the facts to make it look more important in the sight of others;
• Love does not behave in a prideful, arrogant, haughty, superior, snooty, snobbish, or clannish manner;
• Love is not rude and discourteous — it is not careless or thoughtless, nor does it carry on in a fashion that would be considered insensitive to others;
• Love does not manipulate situations or scheme and devise methods that will twist situations to its own advantage;
• Love does not deliberately engage in actions or speak words that are so sharp, they cause an ugly or violent response;
• Love does not deliberately keep records of wrongs or past mistakes;
• Love does not feel overjoyed when it sees an injustice done to someone else but is elated, thrilled, ecstatic, and overjoyed with the truth;
• Love protects, shields, guards, covers, conceals, and safeguards people from exposure;
• Love strains forward with all its might to believe the very best in every situation;
• Love always expects and anticipates the best in others and the best for others;
• Love never quits, never surrenders, and never gives up;
• Love never disappoints, never fails, and never lets anyone down.