As i went for a walk early this morning, i took time to think deeply about how i have loved family, friends and God. I wondered what the foundation is for true love, and how can it be defined?
It's not the first time i've pondered this question. I've discussed conditional and unconditional love on this blog before, but what i'm exploring here is how by our definition may restrict love. Do we define love by our own parameters, and restrict it by our own expectation of what love should be? Or are we on a journey of discovery, with love motivating us to learn more about another person.
"Love does not begin by defining its objects: it discovers them." T.W. Manson
We like to put framework around our feelings, in defining our love of others. What does the Bible mean when it says 'love your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and your neighbour as yourself'? Do we simply package our love with good toughts and deeds, and say we have done our part? Do we package our love for others by thier additude and deeds towards us? Or is love inspiring us to discover more about them, to know more about their desires and needs, and give what we can for their benefit, not ours?
To love is to know, but if we are not interested in knowing can we say we really love? A person we may know very well, still has endless depth to be discovered. Even ourselves, are we constantly discovering more of our traits or atributes, ar are we 'set in our ways'. Relationships framed by definition tend not to grow, but those opened to discovery can flurish. Itõs our choice how we relate to friends, family and God. Choosing the path of discovery becomes an exciting journey of learning, and produces the fuel needed for love to grow.
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