Romans 12:10 gives us another perspective on the whole idea of what it means to love. In the NIV, it says: Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Love doesn’t always walk hand in hand with devotion, but I can’t help wondering why it doesn’t. After all, when you combine love with devotion, totally desiring to put another person above yourself, it creates a bond that stands the tests of time. Devoted love for your spouse, your children, your close friends, and for the Lord Himself gives you a glimpse of what it means for God to love you. He loves each of us with devoted love. He will never leave us or cease to forgive us. He will never let us wander aimlessly without making enormous efforts to bring us safely back to His care and keeping. Devoted love is blessed with emotions yet surpasses their momentary ups and downs. To step away from our own personal needs and fasten ourselves to those of others requires daily attention, nurturing, and imagination. It is the absolute definition of unconditional love. It may even surprise you to discover you can give more than you ever thought you could. You can try new things, step up when support is needed, and put love into action with all your heart, mind, and soul.
Is it old-fashioned to even consider words like honor and respect and compassion? Have we stopped believing we can be better, do better, give more, forgive again, and bless the lives of others simply by showing them they matter? It seems true to me that the One who knows our hearts, the One who calls us into relationship with Him, wants us to serve as examples of His devoted love, His mercy and grace. When love is divinely inspired it motivates us to want to make the people around us happy. It focuses on the welfare and possibilities of others. It was God’s directive to Abraham when He said, I will bless you so that you can be a blessing to everyone else. It’s a double win!! God blesses you and you bless everyone else. How great is that?
Being devoted to anything isn’t about the mind; it’s about the heart. Your heart of love makes all the difference. Don’t be afraid to be devoted to those who mean the most to you in this world, and to the One who will carry you safely into the next. It’s exactly what God is doing every time He thinks of you. His faithful love is forever.