In this culture, do we really know what love is? Do we even know what it looks like? Do we know what it is to have someone admirable to imitate or aspire to be? What is it like to be a dearly loved child? And do we know what true sacrifice is? In a culture of “me”, “myself”, and “I”, we tend to miss out on a lot, or rather, we ignore a lot. We focus on what we want to be, but only look inside ourselves for guidance. We rely on self-dependence, and then we forget what it is like to love and to be loved by those around us. We make “sacrifices” for personal gain, and then forget to make sacrifices for those who love us, those whom we should be loving. In a world where the standard is me, and take, and rush to the next big thing, love and others all too often get put to the wayside. Sadly, I am speaking to many fellow Christians. As this is the despairing culture of this world, and as we live in the world, it is all too easy to get pulled into its cycle away from God. However, as Christians, a different standard has been set for us apart from the rest of the world. What are we to do then?

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

~ Ephesians 5:1-2 ~

It goes without saying that God is love. For in truth, He is. No greater love has been shown like Christ’s sacrifice for us. We are His children and dearly loved, therefore we also should go and love others with a similar love. “Live a life of love” the verse commands. Almost always, that will involve a bit of sacrifice on our part. Perhaps you will have to make new plans, or wait to by that object you wanted, or perhaps your tasks for the day may be put off by something other than a TV show. And sometimes, it will cost you more than these simple things. Sometimes it will be forgiving when you do not think they deserve it, or being kind when none will be shown in return. Love can be shown in the simplest of ways, and sacrifices should not be made just for one’s self. Christ is love, and if we are to be “little Christs”, then we have to imitate what He is. As Children, we look up to our parents and aspire to be like them, whether we admit it or not. What could be better than to aspire to be like our Heavenly Father? We are His people, His children, therefore we must be love to others just as Christ was to us. Such an altruistic love is lacking in this world; such a selflessness is stagnant. Too often we look towards dirty reflections of what love is, when all along, the One in whose image we were made in holds before us that perfect love for us and for us to imitate it.

~Rose