Love (it is Valentine's Day after all)

I've been at Chi Rho Mid-Winter this weekend. It's basically a weekend mini-camp for 6th-8th graders. We had a cool experience during our worship this evening. We all had to say "I love ____" where we filled in the blank. I, being the good husband that I am (wink, wink), said "I love Tara." I then listened to all the kids and the adult sponsors share who they love. It was amazing to hear 70 some-odd people give their responses. That got me thinking about this: what should love look like?

We live in this world where love is not as prevalent as it should be. We live in a time where the (D)'s and the (R)'s are constantly bickering about one thing or another, but what they do affects us in ways that go far beyond partisan politics. I simply don't think they realize it. I'm not suggesting that everybody simply agree, but we should be agreeable in how we disagree rather than point fingers and act like a bunch of 4 year olds (I wonder if any member of Congress will actually read this ... doubt it). Don't get me wrong - I don't think that Washington should be in control of our lives, nor do I think they exercise as much control as many think they do. We are responsible for living our own lives the best we know how and to constantly strive to be better, to grow in Grace. For me that means striving to be the best husband, father, employee, and (most importantly) representative of Christ that I can possibly be - and trust God to fill in where I fail or where my ignorance gets in the way of being all I should be.

I almost gave a less than loving salute to another driver today - the only reason I didn't is that I realized that I was driving the church van and I might get caught and get in trouble with the missus. I didn't do what I was tempted to, but not out of love but out of fear of the consequences. How much to we do things (or don't do things) because it's expected of us? Or that we think we'll get in trouble if we get caught? We should be more motivated by love than by fear, hate, or obligation.

This probably looks like a bunch of rambling, and it's okay if it does. It's a quarter to midnight and sleep has been a precious commodity lately. I hope something in all this makes sense. The point is simply this: we should always choose love. What does that look like? There is no simple answer, but it always means that we should seek to consider others greater than ourselves.

Good night, and Happy Valentine's Day.