So, how do we conclude this series on love with all it’s mysteries? There is no other emotion that we humans possess or are capable of that can create such splendorous joy. No other emotion can make you feel so alive, so filled with hope, energized by that love to be and do more than you could ever do on your own. Being in love makes one feel so invincible and so joyous that the joy overflows on all those around you. Still, for that same reason; no other emotion can cause greater sorrow or pain as we share the pain and suffering of another because of our love for them. No other emotion requires us to die to our selfish desires more than love as it demands us to see another as more important than ourselves. When one has lost the object of that love there is no other emotion that can rip your heart out; leaving you in such utter despair, lost within a whirlwind of pain and sorrow. There is no other emotion that we find ourselves lost without, dark within a sea of loneliness. What a mysterious emotion. Still, what an incredible gift of our creator to have given us this as He made us in His image (body, soul, and spirit) because he wanted someone to share the overflowing joy that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit had already enjoyed. So, what was Paul conclusion to this chapter?
1 Corinthians 13: (AMP) 12 For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as [e]in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand[f]fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been [g]fully and clearly known and understood [[h]by God].
13 And so faith, hope, love abide [faith—conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope—joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love—true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.
I searched for love most of my life. How gracious was God that He gave me Pedro Barba, Jr. Still, the entire marriage I spent striving to gain the love of this man; hoping, working at times–just to hear those words "I Love You." My own feelings of "not being good enough for anyone to really love me" and Pete’s "fear of being hurt if he were to say he loved me" clouded the sky so the light of truth could not be seen by either; until the day before he died and for the first time as he told me how much he loved me, I understood and then, he was gone. Most of my Christian life, I believed God’s Grace had reached down to save me; but there was no way that God could really love me. I worked very hard to gain God’s love; yet, I seemed to always fail. The harder I tried, the greater I failed; until one day with a Broken and Contrite heart, I cried, "Why God, must you always break my heart? His reply, "Oh, child do you not see that it is you breaking mine because you cannot see how much I love you" Only then did I begin to understand all of it. I had wanted a companion here; yet, I had never realized that my greatest love of all was Jesus Christ. So, as Paul whatever, I know of love now is dim compared to what I will know one day; and, whatever joys love has brought to me here on earth, they are dim compared to what I will know in the presence of perfect love. My final advice to all of you whatever state of love you are in, you need to learn of Perfect Love (God) in order to truly know how to receive and to give love. For those who have found your earthly soul mate chosen by God–cherish them and ask God to teach you how to love them as He does. For those of who are widowed, cherish the good memories and rest in the loving arms of your heavenly Father. For those of you who are alone and wondering if God has anyone special for you? Don’t worry, relax in the precious loving arms of God; perhaps, He wants to teach you of His precious love so that you are prepared to really love the one he sends or better yet; perhaps as He looks upon your faith and love of Him, He has chosen not to share you with another. Understand, that is a very privileged place to be and God will supply all your needs. His presence will be ever more sweeter and joyous, because He will fill you with His Love, His Joy, and His Hope. I have awoken at times with a sweet song playing in my head and the sense of arms surrounding me and remembered Zephaniah 3:"17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." So let me ask you a question, When was the last time you looked into the face of Christ through the eyes of your heart and said, "I love you"? Dennis Jernigan wrote a love song to Jesus that I hope you listen to. I, daresay, this is my life song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuiaoVyKXnM
Amplified Bible (AMP)
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