I’m sure many of you are familiar with the book, The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman, which explores the different ways people give and receive love. As I sat down to write this morning, my mind wandered to a sweet memory from the past—back to when my soon-to-be husband first told me he loved me. Without missing a beat, I asked him, “Why?”
He seemed a bit surprised by the question, but he didn’t hesitate. Instead, he went on to list all these wonderful things about me—things that, looking back now, were not only charming but impressively well delivered. Safe to say, that moment played a significant role in securing him the lifelong (and rather demanding) role of being my husband.
“8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
-Romans 13:8
We are expected to love. Love God and love one another. But here is the thing, God never asks us to do anything that He is not willing to do Himself. So, how does God express His love? How do I know that He loves me?
If I look through the lens of the five love languages, I begin to see it clearly:
- Words – He gave me the Bible, a living document, a personalized love letter that constantly reminds me of His love.
- Action – He laid down His life for us. There is no greater demonstration of love than that.
- ‘13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.‘ – John 15:13
- Gifts – My life is filled with them: the people I meet, the opportunities I’m given, even the challenges that shape me. Every good thing flows from Him.
- “17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” – James 1:17
- Quality Time – He has an open-door policy for His children. Whenever I am willing, He is there to listen to me. He gently draws me in, inviting me to spend time in His presence.
- ‘The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.’ – Jeremiah 31:3
- ‘The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
- Touch – Though harder to define, it is seen in the very essence of our existence. He formed us, breathed life into us, and continues to sustain us every day. “He touched me and made me whole”.
- ‘For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.’ – Psalm 139:13
- ‘For You formed my inward parts;
And there it is, evidence of His love, woven into every part of my life. I may not fully understand why He loves me, but I know without a doubt that He does. And He loves you just the same.
Dear God,
Thank You for loving me and opening my eyes to Your love for me. Help me to reflect that love today—through my words, my actions, and my heart—so that others may feel Your warmth through me. Amen