Love

Love has a wide range of definitions for just being 4 letter word. Love is one of the greatest motivators present in this world. It can make us do rather stupid things, but at the same time actions brought out from deep love can sometimes not be explained. This word is thrown around with some meanings being profoundly rooted, and others just being surface level. Undoubtedly, there is no better feeling in this world than the feeling of being loved. 

Notice that feeling isn’t derived from someone saying the phrase “ I love you” but comes from the actions associated with it.  

“Well done is better than well said.”- Benjamin Franklin

Anyone can say that they love something or someone. This quote by ole Benjamin himself speaks volumes to me and has made me very aware of the different types of people in this world. I see many examples of what I call “temporary love” or “circumstantial love” in this world. This temporary or circumstantial love equates to empty love. What is love without actions behind this four-letter word?   

 I love James 2, where James talks about works and faith. In my own mind, I see an example of how love works and have changed the word “faith” in this passage to “love.”  

What does it profit if someone says he has love but does not have works? 

If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,  and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also love by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Show me your love without your works, and I will show you my love by my works

September 29, 2006.

John 15:13 – “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  

This is a date that has become well known to me. This date is inscribed on the headstone of Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor. 

When Michael Monsoor began his operations on that September day, he had no idea that it would be the last time he would put his boots on, check his gear, and head out to face an unknown enemy. I am sure when he woke up that morning that he did not go through the process of evaluating what his actions would be if an enemy insurgent threw a grenade onto a rooftop where he was located. The obvious course of action would be to find the nearest exit and head that way as this is not something that he needed to remind himself of every day. It would go against every possible humanly urge to not exit the blast area.

When Michael felt the grenade hit his chest and saw it fall to the ground, he began a very rapid thought process. He first yelled “grenade” to alert his two fellow SEALS who were still actively engaging the enemy. Michael instinctively knew how long he had until the explosion and knew the exact radius of the blast. He had been taught evasive maneuvers in tight quarters, and his body was ready to react to this new deadly threat that was in front of him. He saw his exit and instantly knew the course of action that was needed to keep his body from receiving harm, yet he ignored this course of action. 

He knew the grenade was about to go off. He knew the blast radius. He knew what actions he needed to make to save his life. But, he also knew that doing so would mean the deaths of his two brothers on the roof with him. Michael knew that his two fellow SEALS did not have adequate time to access this threat and take evasive action. He knew what course of action he needed to take. At this moment, Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor lived out John 15:13.   

One action speaks louder than thousands of words. 

Love is an action. Jesus gave us the ultimate gift of love when he died on the cross. But maybe we have become numb as to what this symbol of love truly means in today’s world. Michael A. Monsoor’s legacy lives on today because of his choice to love. It is impossible to comprehend the pain that Michael went through once the grenade impacted his body. There was no doubt in his mind what would happen when he jumped onto that grenade. There was no doubt in Jesus’ mind as to the pain He would experience in the events leading up to his death, yet, because of love, he underwent that path to the cross. 

If you are suffering or hurting and feel as if there is no cure or end in sight to your circumstances, know answers can be found and healing can start through the one who’s love is perfect: Jesus.

Romans 12:9-10 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”