This four letter word has more definitions than the one’s each of us have ever heard or imagined. Its definition varies from person to person, and for that reason I want to be very cautious with my definition.

I do not know how to break it softly to you, but the truth they say is bitter…..so this is it…  from my observation of my immediate environment, this word “LOVE” has done more HARM than good.

“HARM?!!!” Yes harm, it may sound surprising but that is the bitter and unfortunate truth. This is so because most of us (youths) and adults likewise have mistaken, misplaced and replaced the true meaning of this word LOVE.

1 Cor. 13:4-7 lists or enumerates the qualities of love. From this passage we are made to understand that LOVE is; PATIENT, KIND, JUST, TRUTHFUL, FAITHFUL, HOPEFUL, ENDURES, FORGIVES and permit me to add that LOVE TRUSTS.

Now we have all seen the qualities of love and are beginning to get a picture of the meaning of this word. But I must say that the qualities of this word cannot and will never be truly defined without GOD. For the Bible states it clearly that “God is love” [1 Jhn 4 :16], hence without God there is no love. John 3:16-17 tells us all that we need to know about LOVE.

What is more than that? OR do I say “What sacrifice is greater than that?” My answer, which I believe should be same with some, if not all of us, is NONE, Jhn 15:13 says it all “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”  [NLT].

All the qualities of love from 1 Cor. 13:4-7 are encompassed in the story of the Son of God “JESUS” He himself is LOVE personified……want to learn how to love?, study JESUS….learn from the master, learn from LOVE.

On a final note, I will like to chip in a friend’s definition of love; he said “love is the surrendering of our priviledge and preferences”.

ARE YOU WILLING TO SURRENDER?