Love Made Complete

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.  This is how love made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment:  In this world we are like Jesus.  There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  We love because he first loved us."  1 John 4:16-19

Love is Scary!  I know, bold words to say just a few days before Valentine's Day.  Think back, though, to those that you love and hold close to you.  Saying, "I love you" for the first time can feel like dipping your toe into a huge ocean.  Why is it so scary?  We are making ourselves vulnerable to another person.  We are sharing an intimate feeling, an intimate emotion, that shares so much of ourselves.  I think back upon the first time I said "I love you" to my wonderful husband.  It popped out of my mouth, and then I remember saying, "Wait, let me take that back!"  Yes, words that he brings back to my memory in a loving way almost 14 years later!  Saying I love you can be risky.  (By the way, a few days later, I did say, "I love you" and am so very glad I did!).

Many of us know, though, that when we say those three words to someone, there can be great joy and such heart melding.  When we step out into the ocean of love, it can fulfill places in our heart and soul that may be missing.  It can be a love for a spouse, a child, a parent, or even those around us.  Yet, there are also times when we know people for a very short time and feel a special love for them.  That always intrigues me.  How can that be?  I am reminded that we don't need to know people for a long time to feel love for them.  

Love that is shared with others, whether a long or short term relationship, is love that comes from God.  When we realize that we have a heavenly Father that loves us so much that He would give His only Son to die for us, we realize that this love that has been shared with us needs to be shared with others.  We are Jesus' love on this Earth.  We have the ability to take the love that God shows to us and give it, freely and joyfully, to those around us - making love complete.  The chain of love continues as we show others what love is. 

When we share our love with others, whomever we meet, we are sharing our God with them.  We are sharing His warmth, His grace, His joy, and His salvation.  When we look at love through that lens, it is less scary and more secure.  Love is then made complete.  We then walk with a confidence that makes love strong in every sense, and we know that the power of love will be shared with others.  

Jesus does that - he makes our love complete.  Our love from Him and for Him is shown in the love we share with those around us.  Take that dip into the water.  Share all that love in your heart with others.  Don't be like me all those years ago - say, "I love you" boldly!  For when you do, Jesus will complete those words with, "I love you too"!  To my incredible husband, who makes my love complete, thank you for taking that dip into the ocean with me.  May our love continue to grow with God's grace, and may we share our love with those around us.  Happy Love Day Everyone!!

"Dearest God, your love pours down upon us here on earth.   We not only feel it every day through your word, but we also feel it from those around us.  Help me to make your generous and abundant love felt by those I come in contact with.  May they see you, feel you, through me so that your love can be complete.  In your loving name I pray.  Amen!