Love is Kind of a Funny Word

   There is an old DC Talk song that still moves me today. I remember hearing it when I was younger and I didn’t really think much of it. Today, I realize how important those lyrics are. The song is called Luv Is A Verb (Lyrics at the bottom). Today it seems like more and more people are just using the word “love” flippantly. In reality, love is so much more.

   “Love is a word that requires some action.” Love is kind of a funny word. Many people, when asked what the definition of love is they do not have an answer. Love is very difficult to define because you cannot see love. It is kind of a word like liberty, you can’t see that either. In order to tell if someone loves you, or something, there is action required. This means we need to do things in order to show our love for others.

   There are many different ways to show your love for others. But, Dr. Gary Chapman has found 5 specific ways that most people liked to be love. He calls these ways The 5 Love Languages (link to The 5 Love Languages quiz here). Here is a brief synopsis of each of the love languages:

      1. Words of Affirmation: this person loves it when she is verbally praised for something 

          she does.

      2. Acts of Service: kind of self-explanatory, but this person loves it when someone
          does things for him; or helps him with his work.

      3. Receiving Gifts: this person enjoys when someone gives her gifts. The gift does not 

          have to be expensive. It could be a card or something you saw that made you think
          of her.

      4. Quality Time: a person with this love language likes it when you just listen to him. I 

          mean really listen, without any distractions.

      5. Physical Touch: finally, people with this love language like it when you touch them. It 

          can be anything from holding hands to hugs.

   Some of these love languages may not be your forte. For example: I do not like physical touch; but I have a lot of friends with the love language of physical touch. I may not like that love language, but I know they do. So, I give them hugs even though it is a stretch for me. See, that’s what I think the definition of love is. It is respecting others; and sacrificing your time, money, self, and so on for that person because you love them that much.

   As I said before, love is a tough word to describe; but we are called to love others. Jesus showed his love for us by sacrificing himself on the cross so we could have quality time with him. While he was on earth, he showed his love to others; and I can see that he showed the love languages to his followers.

   The point is we may not be able to show love to others at all times; but God always loves us. He knows our needs and wants. He gives us what we need; and sometimes even things we want. He knows what is best for us. We just need to trust him and love him.

   So, do you know what your love language is? Are you showing love to others through your actions? Do you show your love and devotion to God?

   Mark 5:34, John 13:1-20, John 2:1-11, John 4:7-26, Matthew 8:1-4

   Luv Is A Verb lyrics

   The 5 LoveLanguages quiz