It’s Love That Makes the World Go ‘Round: Part Four

Colossians 2: 1 – 3

Jesus said, “If you love Me keep My commandments.” (John 14: 15) He then said, “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, that you love one another.” (John 13: 35)

Colossians 2:2 unfolds in three parts. It instructs us to offer:

ENCOURAGEMENT, ENDEARMENT, AND ENLIGHTENMENT.

I love synonyms. In reality you won’t find the simple words now to be used as synonyms for love in Roget’s, but in practice they are. Consider these three.

“That their hearts may be encouraged.”

A synonym for such love is awareness.

In a society educated to be preoccupied with self, awareness of others has suffered. Aren’t you encouraged by knowing another is aware of you, your feelings, and needs? There is no such thing as love apart from awareness. The essence of love is awareness.

Jesus Christ was aware of our greatest need and attentively sought to meet it by leaving heaven and coming to earth on a rescue mission.

Our text speaks of “the full assurance of understanding.”  The person who is aware of the object of love makes a life-study of the nature and needs of that one. Love will greatly increase your A.Q., that is your “Awareness Quotient.”

What have you done lately to evidence an awareness of another’s nature or needs? What compliments have you shared evidencing awareness?

Evidence awareness by talking. The greatest complaint in marriage counseling is “We just can’t communicate.”  Oh, yes you can. If you want to.

Difficulty in communicating was evidenced in a divorce court when the judge inquired for the reason for wanting a divorce. He asked the wife, “Do you have any grounds?”

Love says, “Let’s talk.”

Love says, “I am willing to listen.”

Logic should teach us to listen. We have one mouth and two ears.

There is great warmth and reassurance in knowing, “I was heard.”

Listen for voice tone, key words, moods, and meaning. Being attentive says, “I care.”

In developing and expressing love, be aware, that is, be sensitive to persons by talking and listening to them. People offered these graces know they are loved.

Awareness, talking, and listening are synonyms for love that offer encouragement resulting in bonding. All around are persons needing these blessings. By exercising them you are obeying Jesus and enriching lives. Their practice not only draws people to you, but to Jesus.