The Pursuit of Love
But the greatest of these is love.
It’s so easy to get consumed by all of the injustices and hatred occurring against Blacks, police, and political figures. However, I’ve been encouraged by this verse that I’ve heard many times. I hope it encourages you.
““And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.””
John 17:16 assures us that, we are NOT of this world, while and John 16:33 also reminds us that, “in this world [we] will have trouble.” Although I am exhausted with the deaths and brutality occurring on what seems like a daily basis, these verses remind me to continue to have faith in Jesus’ promise. The promise that, this world will bring us problems, pain and suffering is temporary, and despite what occurs in this world, Jesus has already overcome the world. Therefore, whatever happens in this world will leave no scars on my eternal soul. WE have a God that loves us enough to give us free will, a God that weeps with us when injustices occur. We must have hope that despite what is going on in this world, there is so much promise, opportunity, and change yet to occur. Our hope doesn’t stem from the circumstances we’re immersed in; this hope comes from what we have been promised. We have been promised, temporary pain for eternal life.
What has been hardest for me, though, is to love someone who is hateful and racist. To love murderers who slaughter individuals with families who still had lives left to be lived. Nevertheless, we have been commanded to love because “the greatest of these is love.”
I do not deserve the grace that Jesus gives me, but he still gives it to me. Every day. He loves me despite my sins and bad decisions. Mark commands us to, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12: 30-31). Therefore, I am in pursuit of loving better, loving just like Jesus. Though to be honest, I’m still trying to determine what this love looks like through prayer and a constant reminder of its constancy. One thing I know for sure, though, is Jesus loves us even though none of us deserve it. Whenever the injustices, pain, and brutality in the world seems overwhelming, we can always hold onto that love.
by Sascha Enders