This morning we are going to talk about relationships. Why, I'm not sure, but God has laid it on my heart to share today, so I will. We've been talking the last few days specifically about the world's "love" versus the true Love that comes only from God.
A relationship between a boy and a girl can be a beautiful thing; in fact, one of the most beautiful things God has created. But just like anything else, if we seek if for selfish purposes, it is not only wrong, but can cause a lot of pain.
There is one question you can always ask yourself, that, if answered properly, can tell you whether or not you need to bail out of a relationship: "Who am I thinking of?" If you're thinking of yourself (say you're just going out with them because you want a boyfriend/girlfriend), then you're in trouble, even if you do feel what you think is love for them. And whose best interests are you in the relationship for? If it's for your own, again, you're in trouble.
Many times, it's hard not to think of your own needs and wants in a relationship. They are important, but they have their place. You cannot, I repeat, cannot truly love someone if you're seeking to fulfill your own needs and longings. This attitude creates a feeling of false love; it's really just that that person happens to fill your particular need at a particular time. When they fail to fulfill that need, you don't "love" them anymore. You see it happen all the time around you-someone in a relationship fails to fulfill the other's need, and the other drops them. It can cause a lot of heartache and often does.
See, that's called self-centered love. And while it can often fool you into thinking that it is true love, self-centered love is, in truth, no love at all. It's very deceptive, and it can tear your world apart before you even realize it.
So what is true love? True love is one of those radical Christian paradoxes that's exactly the opposite of what the world teaches. You see, you will only be able to show true love after you've given all of your love, all of your heart, to Jesus Christ. You see, true love is an overflow of the love that Jesus gives to you back into the lives of those around you.
Someday, once you've given your heart and your love entirely to Christ, you will find someone special. You'll find someone that you're willing to lay down your very life for. You'll find someone who fulfills your needs without even trying. You'll find someone whose needs you want so badly to fulfill that you'll do anything for them. You'll find someone who builds you up in your faith and whom you can build up in their faith. You will grow more and more in love with each other and ultimately, more and more in love with the Saviour.
That's what a true love relationship is all about. I pray that, someday, each of us will find that kind of relationship. It will probably sneak up on all of us with the person who we least suspect. In most true love relationships I know, that's usually the way it got started. You don't have to seek a love relationship to find one. God will bring one to you if you only trust Him and have patience. For now, be content with the love that He gives you; His is a love more pure than you'll ever find here on earth.