091307

September 13, 2007

Love is the Bond of Perfection

by Shana Schutte

Do you have one prayer you've lifted up repeatedly over the years? If so, I can relate. Numerous times I've begged, "Lord, please teach me how to love!" Those who know me well, know I have a lot to learn about love, but I'm so grateful that God is persistent in teaching me since I am often a slow learner!

One day, after thinking about loving God's way, He blessed me with the following thoughts which I wrote in my journal. I'm thrilled to be able to share them with you.

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If beauty held within it some magic power to create lasting love, all of Hollywood would be abounding in love. If success held within it the power of committed love, all the world's richest and most powerful would be most in love.

However, love does not come to dwell in perfection, for no one is perfect. Love dwells in the unlovely, the imperfect. My love for another is not produced by the object of my love. It exists in me when I choose to love all that is unlovely and imperfect; and I thereby receive the love I need by being the lover first. Love is the bond of perfection (1 Colossians 3:14).

If I searched the world over and found that which I perceived to be perfect and therefore gave my love away, I would soon be disappointed by the illusion of perfection. I could wander my entire life on an endless search for perfect love and I would never know love. I would never experience the joy of giving grace to another; of accepting without condition; of loving wholly with a pure heart, and not seeking for self, because love gives.

I have fallen victim to the lies of the world if I believe I can only love the beautiful, successful or perfect.

Christ died and placed the love of His heart into mine so that I can love with His unconditional love. He loves the imperfect; He loves me.

"But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection." Colossians 3:14 (NKJV)

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