What is love? People have been asking such a question since the world began. Even this one hit wonder could not seem to figure out. He has no idea what love is but he does know that he does not want to be hurt. This song may be simply be a nostalgic glimpse into some of our pasts but I believe it also proclaims a prophetic statement of our humanity.
We want love but we get lost on where to find it. We attempt to pour out "love" yet are not sure if what we are doing is correct...we are looking for a sign. And as we as mortals reach out with one hand for an embrace we hold the other up in defense in case the quest for love does not go well...in case the other person "does not care". What a sad existence...always longing for acceptance and confirmation of worth but always remaining on guard for failure.
What is love?
Will we ever know?
The last week of my life consisted of watching 66 kids between the ages of 5 and 11 screaming out this question. "What is love? Yeah...oh, I don't know why you're not there. I give you my love, but you don't care." I spent a week at camp for kids that have been sexually, emotionally, or physically abused. "So what is right and what is wrong...gimme a sign. What is love?" These kids have spent their entire lives looking for love in a world in which those that were charged with loving them have shirked that responsibility. They are looking for anything to which they think might bring them the answer to their question. Acting out, sexual expression, physical dominance...after all...what is love?
This question not only rang out for the kids but the staff and counselors...what is love? Where does it come from? How is it expressed? As I work to understand the meaning of love and what it is...all I know is that the only thing that I can hold on to is the ultimate example of love. Our world has shown us many different ways to show love...even the Bible can be confusing in its expression...so I just choose to focus on the concept.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." Romans 5:8-11 (NIV)
Now you know...live accordingly.
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