What the world needs now, is love, sweet love.
Maybe you are too young to remember that old love song. If so, I’m sorry. It’s a sweet one. There is a fascinating story about the writer of the lyrics, Hal David. This one song lyric–such a simple song–took him longer to write than any other. He was stumped on the words until he remembered God, and what he has given to us through nature. Once he got that set in his mind, the rest came naturally. (No pun intended!)
But that was nearly sixty years ago, and the world is a little different now. Still, the truth is the truth, and time doesn’t change it. I know that almost everywhere you look, darkness seems to be creeping closer and closer. But I’m writing to encourage you, to give you heart! The darkest time is just before dawn, and these dark times make it very easy to see the light.
Do you think the world needs another silly love song?
Maybe. King Solomon said that laughter does good like a medicine, and that many waters cannot quench love. Love makes us unreasonably happy; but is it really unreasonable to be happy?
No, it’s our default: God made us to be easily delighted!
He gave us eyes to see the beautiful ever-changing artwork in the sky and in the fields around us. He made our beloved look beautiful to us, didn’t He? He didn’t have to do that, but our God loves beauty, and gave it to us to enjoy as well.
He gave us taste buds, and the ability to smell while we are eating delicious food. There is no “practical” purpose in that except that we will purely enjoy the experience of eating. Think of it as another way God says “I love you,” without saying a word.
He gave us the desire to cuddle with the ones we love. He reinforced our physical connection to each other with bonding chemicals: We get high when we cuddle, and we feel like we belong. If you have someone to hug, don’t take it for granted. Hug them every chance you get!
God is love, and He made us to love; he meant for love to rock our world. We want to sing our love to the world, don’t we? And now we are back to silly love songs!
But maybe the world just needs true love.
We need First Corinthians 13-type love:
Patient,
kind,
selfless,
is not easily angered,
rejoices in the truth,
bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things and
endures all things.
Love never fails.
Love gives us hope for the future. It makes our faith worthwhile.
As you look back over that list, think of how rare that perfect kind of love is in this world. Do you see this love when you look around? No?
Well, I have some great news for you: You have the ability to change that. Start by picking one quality of love from the list above–one that you think is easy–and take some time to show that kind of love to one person today. You don’t have to do it all, all at once. Just pick one, and do that, and Voila! You have made the world a more loving place in your little corner.
The first time you reach out to someone, it’ll be difficult. You may feel silly. But imagine what it would be like if you were the one receiving the action. Do something for someone else that you would like for someone to do for you. If it seems too hard, ask God to help you love. He will absolutely do it.
Imagine that other people are doing the same, and that each loving act, whether anyone notices or not, generates a little bit of light. Now back up, and look down (in your imagination) at your town at night. Every place where someone acts in love will be marked by a small light.
When we light up, really catch fire, we will stand out against the darkness, and others who are drawn to the light will come forward, wanting that light. They will “catch” your love, and also begin to glow. Now imagine that two of those little lights stand close together. The really amazing thing is that the light of two together is brighter than each one standing alone, for they not only light up the space around them, but they light each other up as well.
When the world seems dark, take a moment and show love to someone. Bring a friend a coffee. Open a door for someone. Smile. Light ’em up, baby! Then zoom out in your mind’s eye, and watch the world become a brighter place.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
“Herein is love: Not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and gave himself. . .for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” (I John 4:10 – 11)
The Fullers Four 