Devotions this week based on Sunday’s Message: The Difficulty of Love! (LISTEN HERE)
We live in a disposable society.
Over 2 billion tons of waste are generated worldwide on an annual basis. Statistically the more you earn, the more you throw away. Only 9% of plastic is effectively recycled.
It used to be cheaper to repair an appliance, now it’s cheaper at times to throw the one away and get a new one. Things that could be repaired are tossed for lack of time, desire or know how to fix it.
This devotion isn’t about the environment, but the reality is we throw a lot away because it’s use is limited and the ability or desire to reuse it is not great.
Is it the same true with love?
Do we treat love as a disposable commodity?
When we desire to get something from someone we express love, but when we’ve gotten what we want, we simply stop loving?
When love seems to be broken in our marriages or relationships, do we give up trying to fix what is broken or feel like we don’t know how or nothing will work so we dispose of the one person to try to find another one that works?
When we try to love and we don’t get the response we want, is it easy to simply dismiss love and let it go to the “landfill” not to be used again.
I think so.
We treat love like a disposable commodity because we see love from the wrong perspective.
Our sinful nature desires to use love for our personal gain. If we can get something by loving someone, great. If we can’t? Stop loving.
Our sinful nature loves to give up loving when it seems hard or difficult. Instead of learning different ways to love, we simply give up on love and let it go, hoping another try with someone else will work better.
How many relationships and opportunities sit in the “landfill of love” because we have treated love as a temporary and selfish commodity?
All too many.
Love is not a disposable commodity. Our use of love can be, but love is an eternal reality emanating from the heart of an eternal God that does not give up or stop loving, even when we dismiss or spurn his love.
If love is going to be a permanent reality rather than a short-lived experience, we must tap into the eternal, permanent reality of God’s love for us. Only with his love pouring into our souls will we be able to love, work to love, continue to love when we feel like giving up.
Love is not temporary. Love is permanent.
1 Corinthians 13:7-8 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Psalm 118:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Apply: How have you treated love as a disposable commodity? What changes when you view love through the lens of God’s permanent love?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me with an everlasting love, not a temporary, disposable love. AMEN