“Love’s not a feeling Love’s not convenient
But I know love will change your life
Love takes sacrifice Love cuts like a knife
Sometimes love will make you cry
Love’s not easy But it’s worth it” (Francesca Battistelli)

This is the chorus from a really good song I heard in the car today. It talked about real love. Not the “ooh, I want you and I’ll die if I don’t have you right now” kind of love. Not the “you make me feel warm and fuzzy” kind. The “love is not convenient or easy and will cost you all you have, but it’s worth it” kind.

True love isn’t easy. It isn’t convenient. It isn’t something you fall into. True love is a choice you make, whether you feel like it or not. True love says “I’m all in”, regardless.

True love is Jesus, who was in the form of God, taking the form of a human and a slave, for you. True love is Jesus who would rather die for you than live without you (thanks to Max Lucado for that one).

Hollywood gets it wrong by making love less than what it really is. It’s not just feelings. It’s choosing to love when the feelings aren’t there.

I’ve come to this conclusion. I can’t really love anyone this way on my own. No one can. Love means giving without expectation of receiving anthing in return. Love means my needs come second. Love means I do whatever it takes to bring out God’s best in you.

That’s something I can’t do. Or you.

We need a love that’s stronger than death, that’s bigger than any doubt, that’s gentle enough to hold shattered hearts and broken lives.

Paul talks about the love of God poured into human hearts. That’s what we need to love anybody. We need hearts full and overflowing with 180 proof vintage Love as only God could make it.

“Love not of you
Love not of me
Come hold us up
Come set us free
Not as we know it
But as it can be” (Sara Groves).

That’s true love.