Filling your Home with Agape Love
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Transforming a house into a home is not just about bricks and mortar; it's about infusing every corner with a sense of warmth, belonging, and, most importantly, love. We fill our homes with beautiful furniture, artwork, and other exquisite decor but are we filling our homes with Agape love? This Greek word "Agape," stands for a pure, selfless love that actively pursues the welfare of others. A sacrificial love that intentionally desires another’s highest good. This is the highest expression of love. Unlike mere attraction, Agape love is a choice rather than an emotion, reflecting the divine love that led God to give Himself for us.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
- John 3:16
I want to particularly talk about our spouses in this blog. When we embark on the journey of life, our spouses can present challenges that test the very fabric of our patience and understanding. Even in happy times, our spouses may inadvertently push our buttons leading to inappropriate remarks spoken in the heat of the moment as well as feelings of rage and frustration. These responses are frequently the result of acting from our flesh instead of coming from the place of spirit-driven unconditional love. This is why 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is so important. This verse needs to be at the forefront of our minds because it serves as a compass and a lighthouse pointing us toward patience, kindness, and understanding.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
- 1 John 4:16
We run the risk of undermining the very foundation of our relationships when we allow our actions to be driven only by emotions, self-serving desires, or momentary frustrations. On occasion, we may choose to disregard the advice found in 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 and find ourselves traveling down a dark road from which it is difficult to return. The journey down this treacherous path is marked by misunderstandings, resentment, and slow deterioration of the bonds that once held us close. However, even in the midst of this darkness, there is hope. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 encourages us to mend what is broken, to rebuild what has crumbled, and to restore the light that once illuminated the sanctity of our relationships. While the road back may be challenging, it is not impossible. It requires humility, introspection, and a sincere commitment to embody the selfless love outlined in those verses.
Let us remember that the journey to cultivate enduring love is not always smooth. When we are dealing with the complexities of life with our spouses, we may find ourselves on a challenging path where emotions, selfish desires, and momentary frustrations threaten to obscure the light of love. Yet, in this darkness, the timeless guidance of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 stands as a source of hope and renewal. It beckons us to pause, reevaluate, and choose the path of patient, kind, and understanding love—a love that mends, rebuilds, and restores. May our homes continue to be sanctuaries where agape love flourishes, turning houses into warm havens where families grow, thrive, and find solace in the embrace of love that never fails.