The AUTHOR of L O V E

  

If I had a quarter for every time I heard the phrase "God is Love", I could likely quit my part-time job! I can remember hearing this phrase since my childhood but in all actuality, even though I called myself a "Christian", I had no clue exactly what this phrase meant. Yes, I went to church and I understood the concept of God loving me, but I had no true direction for application of the principle to my real life.

After experiencing several failed, unhealthy and even abusive relationships, I decided to give up my search for love from human beings, search for this love from God and find out exactly what this phrase meant. I was so sick and tired of failing, I said "Forget this! Jesus is going to be my imaginary boyfriend!" In a sense that is what He is, an imaginary, friend, father, brother and lover all in one. The only thing is that His love is so real! I didn't blame my childhood, my ex-boyfriends, or anyone else for my past relationship mistakes. It wasn't them, it was me. I had no clue what I was doing. I didn't know who, what, where, when, why or how to be in a relationship! If we weren't taught or did not experience examples of real love as a child, we have to accept the responsibility as mature adults to teach ourselves.

I discovered that the reason why we hear the phrase "God is love" is because He is the AUTHOR of Love. He wrote the greatest love story of all time: The Bible. It tells of how he loved us and the world so much that He sent His son to die for us, but most importantly to be a living example of love and the type of life we should strive to live. If Trey Songz invented sex, God invented Love! 

John 13: 34 - NKJV ~ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 

We will not be able to follow this command, if we do not study and understand the example of love that Jesus showed to the world while he lived on Earth. The B I B L E is often referred to as our Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Do you remember the popular question and answer sessions on the topic "What is love?" We need to stop trying to come up with our own answers. The Bible clearly tell us what love is. Even further, it gives instructions to wives, husbands, discusses sex, adultery, name the topic, the Bible covers it! God's love is the rock to all strong foundations.

Proverbs 3: 5-7a ~ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; 

Not studying love before entering a relationship is like trying to become a pediatrician without going to medical school! I can hear an angry mother now yelling "Keep your hands off of my child!" Well I'm saying this, "Stay out of relationships!" Think about it, marriage is like a divine graduation. Most people get married in a church, their weddings are officiated by licensed ministers, pastors, preachers and teachers, but we've forgotten one thing! We did not study, go to class, pass the tests, and we skipped the school of God's Love. We are cheating, taking the easy way out, paying for our marriage license without studying for it and so many are getting away with it. 

Imagine if like getting a driver's license, we had to take a test before we're given our marriage license! How many of us would pass? When the tests of marriage come and they will, we can't pass so we take the easy way out again and we pay for a divorce! You decided to start it, but where are you getting the strength to finish it?! Our foundations our weak and the divorce rates steadily increase.

One thing I've learned is that people are not perfect. It is not humanly possible for them to love you in a perfect way. Only God is perfect, and only He can do that. The reason why we need God is so that He can be there to help us when we are hurt by people.

Proverbs 10:25 ~ When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the Godly have a lasting foundation.  

T's 10 Tips!:

• Establish a good support system!: friends, family and a church home that will love you and encourage you to pursue God and His plans for your life. 
• Go to class!: Bible Study, Sunday School, Workshops, Conferences, Revivals will equip you with the tools to learn how to study the Bible on your own. They will also keep you busy and allow you to meet new people! You won't have time for a pity party then!
• If you still don't know where to start, find someone in your area who can help you. Call that "church boy" or "church girl" you know or message the person on Facebook who is always talking about God, lol!
• Now you can study on your own! Find a translation of the Bible you can understand. These are a few good ones: NIV, NLT, The Message & Amplified Bible. Study how much God loves you and how valuable you are to Him! Read books, articles, and of course, my blog :-)!  
• Study the example of love Jesus exhibited while on Earth!
• Learn what He requires from men and women in relationships. He designed us differently but we have an equally great contribution to a relationship.
• Learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships, and the definition of Domestic Violence.
• Don't strive to be perfect but do your best! I am not saying you need to have read the entire Bible before you enter a relationship, but you at least need some basic principles and to know how to seek His wisdom, understanding and direction in your time of need. 
• Pursue your dreams and goals, focus on God and focus on YOU! 
• And finally, "Don't seek a mate, seek God!" ~ Creflo Dollar.   

Once you have studied enough and come to a realization of how valuable you are, you won't settle for anything less than God's best. God will then direct your path to the person He plans to bless you exceedingly, abundantly, and above all with. If you are already married or in a relationship, it is not too late, you can still apply these principles to your current situation! God can help you with your mate! Trust Him. He is the author of love. God is love. He loves you and He wants what's best for you. 

In the meantime, check out this song and video entitled "Higher Love" by Sho Baraka, one of my new favorite Christian Hip Hop Artists. It's a perfect match to this blog, Enjoy!

Thank you for reading! Remember, I'm new at this! Leave a comment, ask a question, let me know what you think! If you're shy, you can leave a comment anonymously. Thank you in advance for your love and support!

Tiffany Lee