The words “I Love You” are so simple, yet so difficult to say. We might even be able to say them no problem, but we don’t truly mean them, making them hollow words. As you read this, think about the people in your life that you love. How often have you said these words to them? Do you even mean them, or do you say them because “that’s just what we are supposed to say?” Consider these two suggestions for making these words meaningful.
1. Your Relationships are a Gift from God. In a world that is so material, we oftentimes forget the things, or should I say the people that matter. We fall into the world’s trap of “using” those that God has placed into our life for our own selfish benefit. We are entering into a time of the year in which we are being inundated from every direction with material things. And sometimes we do lose or almost lose focus of what matters. Do we truly love the individuals in our lives, or do we love what we can get out of them? The Bible says many wonderful things about relationships. Husbands and wives have a special bond (Ephesians 5:22-33), as do parents and children (Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:1-4). However, Paul sums it all up best, when he says “Let all that you do be done with love (1 Corinthians 16:14).”
2. You are where you are for a purpose. That may be hard to understand sometimes, but it’s true. You have a platform, a ministry. And you can either take that and use it for good or bad. In the book of Acts, we read about a man by the name of Barnabas. His name literally means “son of encouragement.” He loved others very deeply and spent much time seeking to bring out the best in others. In Acts 11:22-24, we read that Barnabas uses his ministry to influence those at Antioch for good. And as a result “a great many people were added to the Lord.” Barnabas was where he was for a purpose. He chose to use his platform for good because he loved people, but most importantly he loved their soul. Can you say the same today?
“I Love You.” Three simple words, three frequently said words, but three oft hollow words. You say them, but do you mean them?
In Him,
Carver
