Forgive me for my morbid affection for all things gothic. Blame it on my parents for letting us watch The Addams Family as, ahem, a family.
Today’s chapter is a good one for Valentine’s Day: Love endures.
The Bible verse under the chapter heading is from 1 Corinthians 13:8:
Love never fails.
It’s a bold chapter. The opening line says: “Of all the things love dares to do, this is the ultimate. Though threatened, it keeps pursuing. THough challenged, it keeps moving forward. Though mistreated and rejected, it refuses to give up.”
I learned a long time ago that “it takes two people wanting a relationship for it to work; and it takes only one person not wanting it to work for it not to work.” This chapter – this dare – says no. Ultimately, the truism is right (in the sense that one party can bail and run so far away that the bond is no longer functioning, that it’s torn apart and broken and ruined. But this chapter speaks of a love that doesn’t depend upon returned love. It’s the kind of love that loves on – even in the face of rejection.
For those who have seen the movie Fireproof, the following paragraphs might sound familiar:
“Many times when a marriage is in crisis, the spouse who is trying to make things work will go to the other, declaring in no uncertain terms that no matter what has happened int hte past, he or she is committed to this marriage. Their love can be counted on to last. They promise. But not wanting to hear this yet, the other spouse holds their position. They still want out. They don’t see this marriage lasting long-term. Nor do they even want it to anymore.
The partner who has just laid his or her heart on the line, extending the olive branch, can’t handle the rejection. So they withdraw their statement. “Fine. If that’s the way you want it, that’s the way it’ll be.”
But if love is really love, it doesn’t waffle when it’s not received the way you want it to be. If love can be told to quit loving, then it’s not really love. Love that is from God is unending, unstoppable. If the object of its affection doesn’t choose to receive it, love keeps giving anyway.
Love never fails.
Never.
There you have it. That’s what Jesus’ love is like. That’s the kind of love we’re called to. His disciples promised they wouldn’t bail on Him, but within a few short hours they scattered, split and even denied knowing Him. Jesus did not say, “Fine! Be that way!” No, He kept on loving.
The book makes a bold recollection here:
Only a few days ago you were Loved Dared to build your marriage on the Word of God. That’s because when all else fails, the truth of God will still be standing. Along the way you have also been dared to be patient, to be unselfish, to sacrifice for your mate’s needs.
These are not just loving ideas, existing in isolation. Each quality of love outlined in this book is based on the love of God, captured and expressed in the Word of God. The unchanging Word of God. No challenge or circumstance can occur that will ever put an expiration date on Him or His love. Therefore, your love – made of the same substance – bears the same, unchanging characteristics.
Love never fails.
So today your dare is to put your unfailing love into the most powerful, personal words you can. This is your chance to declare that no matter what imperfections exist – both in you and in your spouse – your love is greater still. No matter what they’ve done or how often they’ve done it, you choose to love them anyway. Though you’ve been far from steady in your treatment of them over the years, your days of being inconsistent in love are over. You accept this one man or woman as God’s special gift to you, and you promise to love them until death.
Today’s Love Dare:
Spend time in personal prayer, then write a letter of commitment and resolve to your spouse. Include why you are committing to this marriage until death, and that you have purposed to love them no matter what. Leave it in a place that your mate will find it.
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