Perfect Love

When was the last time someone you love let you down?

It happens. More than we’d like.

Whether it’s our husbands, our sisters, our brothers, our children, or our friends, love will disappoint at one time or another and we’ll want to run away.

But where do we run?

Busyness?

Work?

The Internet?

Another person?

I’ve come to the conclusion there is no such thing as perfect love on this earth, because God doesn’t allow it. If all our desires were fulfilled by a human being, then we’d have no need for our Abba Father. He wants us to run to him when things go awry, and he doesn’t want anything or anyone to take his place.

It’s the Lord who fills the void left by others who walk away. He comforts us when the people closest to us pierce our hearts with angry words or rejection. He gives us hope when our expectations aren’t met. He desires for us to cling to him and his promises in the Word.

Psalm 36:7 says, “How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” When human love falters, perfect love is waiting for us with feathery arms.

In order to have peace and harmony in our relationships, we have to give human love a hall pass. It will never be perfect, and if we expect it to be flawless, we won’t be content. We’ll most likely live out our lives unhappy and bitter.

Instead, we have to love those around us as Jesus loved, unconditionally, without harboring resentment. Instead of a critical tone, we should compliment the positive. We have to forgive those who occasionally disappoint us.

When you are struggling to love reflect back on Luke 6:32-36: “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 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. 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. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

We all know that human love can be beautiful, but only God’s perfect love is divine. LBW