What is love? I find it clarifying to use that precious word interchangeably with the word helpfulness.
So that you are loving yourself when you do anything that helps you be more helpful. You are loving others when you do anything that helps them be more helpful.
So when we read, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” I take that to mean, help others be more helpful by doing for them the kinds of things that help you be more helpful.
- Do you pray for yourself to be helped? Then listen for how Jesus would guide you to pray for others to be helped.
- Do you do what helps you feel refreshed and encouraged? Then listen for what Jesus would have you do for others that stands to refresh and encourage them.
- Do you seek to avoid what you find unhelpful for being what you need to be? Then listen for how Jesus would help you help others avoid the same pitfall.
And then when we read that Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” I take that to mean help each other be helpful just as I have helped you be helpful.
- What has Jesus done for you to help you experience his peace? Look for the chances he creates for you to help others experience his peace.
- What has Jesus done for you that has gladdened and encouraged your heart? Look for the chances he creates for you to gladden and encourage others.
- What has Jesus done for you that gives you purpose in your day? Look for the chances he creates for you to stir up purpose in others.
So what is it to love? We could say it is to practice doing what Jesus shows us will help others learn to be more helpful.
