Used to think love could be and had to be categorized. How one should rank most important resembled the old elementary food pyramid. Except my concept had God at the top trickling down to family, friends, others and then myself at the very bottom. I've realized this is a huge misconception in the big picture of life.
I am by no means a theologian or any way trained in the seminary terminology of faith and doctrine. But it doesn't mean I don't have an insight to share what was an important epiphany in my walk with God, if it will save any from heart ache and disillusionment for someone else. There's my disclaimer.
There is something to the self-love trend happening currently in my culture. It is freely coined for taking care of one's needs in the scope of life amongst all the chaos that can ensue. Not suppressing or dismissing them as less meaningful is the terminology I see the true definition as. The best example is used on an airplane. If you've had the opportunity to fly, you know the shpeal- the flight attendants go over the safety instructions by pointing towards the exits, demonstrating how to secure your belt, and emphasize the important steps to utilizing the air masks in case of an emergency. You have to first put on yours before you can help someone else put on theirs.
You have to take care of yourself as well so you are equipped to take care of another. You can't give what you don't have. An empty cup can not pour into another. So in a lot of sense if you are empty of crucial components- mentally, emotionally, and most importantly to me, spiritually; then you're limited in how you can respond to others in need.
To return to the skewed love pyramid theory- I think the shape is inadequate and tends to top heavy in application. Now the symbolic shape I've come to recognize, resembles for me, more like a wheel. With God at the center and all the spokes leveled with everyone circling and moving from the hub, all supported from the center. My family, my friends, my church, my co-workers, my enemies, strangers and myself are on an even level. No one is more or less on the grace meter from the center. Now I'll admit there are some spokes (folks using the wheel illustration still) that are closer to me than others. The tribe we are born into (family), the tribe we can decide (friends), and those beyond the closeness we create. Despite relationship bonds - I am called to love each of my neighbors as myself.
Now am I capable of having the same familiarity and confidence I have with those I've cultivated relationship over the years? No, but I am to acknowledge the stranger. Recognize this individual is a beloved of God, the same as me. If I don't recognize that truth- that I, too, am beloved; it is difficult to relay that message to another. Consoling words will be little better than ash in one's mouth. It makes one a hypocrite. Either "they are more deserving than me" or "I am better them" mind-set, diminishes the grace and mercy gifted. It shortens the scope, the purpose of all God has done for all and each of us.
I'll end with learning how God looks at me with love has helped me immensely to see others for more than just their words and actions. It's humbled me. Love doesn't involve a despite clause with God. He loves first. Does He like everything done or condone each free choice made by his Beloved? No. This world created has cause and effect laws that flows over to human choice and consequence. But- that doesn't stop his love for me, or any; the drastic measure has been made to accomplish both justice and mercy found in Jesus.
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
I embrace that truth. I've had to wrestle with self-doubt and perfectionism to try to be good enough to earn such a love. The Lord has at times gently taught or face palmed me with this big picture truth. His love isn't dulled out according to us. There are no favorites. We are loved abundantly, and beyond our own finite comprehension. God doesn't love more or less. He simply loves. He offers it. His love is more. His love makes me more. Accepting that love makes me more: more patient, more empathetic, more forgiving, and more like the one who gave that Love. Through that love, I am made into love that can be shared. More love to send around the other spokes in the love circle.
I am by no means a theologian or any way trained in the seminary terminology of faith and doctrine. But it doesn't mean I don't have an insight to share what was an important epiphany in my walk with God, if it will save any from heart ache and disillusionment for someone else. There's my disclaimer.
There is something to the self-love trend happening currently in my culture. It is freely coined for taking care of one's needs in the scope of life amongst all the chaos that can ensue. Not suppressing or dismissing them as less meaningful is the terminology I see the true definition as. The best example is used on an airplane. If you've had the opportunity to fly, you know the shpeal- the flight attendants go over the safety instructions by pointing towards the exits, demonstrating how to secure your belt, and emphasize the important steps to utilizing the air masks in case of an emergency. You have to first put on yours before you can help someone else put on theirs.
You have to take care of yourself as well so you are equipped to take care of another. You can't give what you don't have. An empty cup can not pour into another. So in a lot of sense if you are empty of crucial components- mentally, emotionally, and most importantly to me, spiritually; then you're limited in how you can respond to others in need.
To return to the skewed love pyramid theory- I think the shape is inadequate and tends to top heavy in application. Now the symbolic shape I've come to recognize, resembles for me, more like a wheel. With God at the center and all the spokes leveled with everyone circling and moving from the hub, all supported from the center. My family, my friends, my church, my co-workers, my enemies, strangers and myself are on an even level. No one is more or less on the grace meter from the center. Now I'll admit there are some spokes (folks using the wheel illustration still) that are closer to me than others. The tribe we are born into (family), the tribe we can decide (friends), and those beyond the closeness we create. Despite relationship bonds - I am called to love each of my neighbors as myself.
Now am I capable of having the same familiarity and confidence I have with those I've cultivated relationship over the years? No, but I am to acknowledge the stranger. Recognize this individual is a beloved of God, the same as me. If I don't recognize that truth- that I, too, am beloved; it is difficult to relay that message to another. Consoling words will be little better than ash in one's mouth. It makes one a hypocrite. Either "they are more deserving than me" or "I am better them" mind-set, diminishes the grace and mercy gifted. It shortens the scope, the purpose of all God has done for all and each of us.
I'll end with learning how God looks at me with love has helped me immensely to see others for more than just their words and actions. It's humbled me. Love doesn't involve a despite clause with God. He loves first. Does He like everything done or condone each free choice made by his Beloved? No. This world created has cause and effect laws that flows over to human choice and consequence. But- that doesn't stop his love for me, or any; the drastic measure has been made to accomplish both justice and mercy found in Jesus.
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
I embrace that truth. I've had to wrestle with self-doubt and perfectionism to try to be good enough to earn such a love. The Lord has at times gently taught or face palmed me with this big picture truth. His love isn't dulled out according to us. There are no favorites. We are loved abundantly, and beyond our own finite comprehension. God doesn't love more or less. He simply loves. He offers it. His love is more. His love makes me more. Accepting that love makes me more: more patient, more empathetic, more forgiving, and more like the one who gave that Love. Through that love, I am made into love that can be shared. More love to send around the other spokes in the love circle.
