What is love?

What is love? Is it a feeling? An idea? Can it even fully be grasped or explained? I know that God is love. I know that His love is too deep, and far, and wide to even fathom. But what about romantic love? I know the bible says that love is patient and kind. That is is not angry, or rude or jealous or boastful. That it rejoices in the truth. That love protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. It never fails. Love covers a multitude of sins. It is said to be stronger than death. We are to love with actions and in truth. Alright, so I guess that answered my first question. But now I propose another: What does it mean to love someone? 


Besides the aforementioned explanations of love, I have some personal thoughts on the matter. I believe that love is accepting someone as they are right at this moment. All of them. Period. It doesn’t mean that you love their bad qualities, it just means that you accept them. It is accepting their past and looking forward to their future. It is about supporting and respecting that person, placing their needs above your own. It is wanting the best for someone, even if you do not gain anything yourself. Love is also a feeling. It is when you care so much about something that there is no other word to describe the way you feel. It is often difficult to explain. It’s that feeling deep down in your soul or the pit of your stomach. But it is not simply a feeling. Nor is it a word that should be tossed around haphazardly. That feeling has to be accompanied with what is written in the Bible. It has to be backed up with what your head tells you as well. Your heart and your head must agree. 


Love is laughter. Love is selfless and pure. Love is caring for another deeply and tenderly. Love is thinking of someone often, without obsessing. Love is missing the other when you are apart. Love is wanting to share in good times and bad; in trials as well as accomplishments. It is encouraging and serving one another. Love is wanting to do nice things for each other, for no reason at all. It is caring about each other’s happiness. Love is a sacrifice and a partnership; it is giving up your needs for another’s, and having them do the same. It is give and take. It is overcoming obstacles and helping one another. Love is seeing the best in each other. Love is being able to be vulnerable, to share your deepest thoughts without fear of rejection. Love is being content and feeling at peace in each other’s presence. It is being satisfied just sitting in silence with one another, doing nothing at all. Love is listening. Love is forgiving. Love leaves a lot of room for grace. Love is a choice and a commitment. Love is a risk. It is putting your heart on the line and being completely vulnerable and transparent. Yes, it is a pretty great risk. But being loved in return has to be the greatest feeling in the world. I mean, God talks about the importance of love over and over again in the Bible. And God IS love. So by loving someone, we are actually growing closer to God. So, I say, take the risk.


-Karly Roberts