Love should cost you something

​Ever wondered what love really looks like when stripped of all the fluff and fantasy we see in movies? This week, I want to dive into a perspective on love that's more about steel than about silk – about sacrifice more than sentimentality. This is love as a verb, not just a noun. A practical, roll-up-your-sleeves kind of love that really tests the notion of what it means to love someone in the grit of everyday life.

Love isn’t about the fireworks and butterflies alone. It's about what you're willing to give up for someone else. Imagine love as more than a feeling that sweeps you off your feet; it's the daily decision to put someone else's needs above your own, even when you're running on empty. This is what they mean when they say, "First comes love, then comes sacrifice." It’s not just a nice idea; it's the hardcore reality of loving like Christ – who literally defined love by laying down His life for others.

Now, how can we pull this off in our own lives? Well, it starts with understanding that this kind of love isn’t about being a doormat or losing yourself in another person. It's about the strength to give and the resilience to support one another in times of need. This is what the Bible talks about when it calls us to live a life "filled with love, following the example of Christ, who loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice."

Here's something to chew on: love should cost you something. That's right, it should demand your ego, your time, your comfort, sometimes even your plans. This is the gold standard of love – a currency that never inflates or deflates but holds its value in the authenticity of its sacrifice. It's about loving when it’s hard, not just when it’s easy. Loving not because people deserve it but because love is what you are called to give.

For those of us wondering how to apply this in our day-to-day lives, it starts with the small stuff. Like listening more than you speak, showing up even when it’s inconvenient, forgiving even when you could justifiably hold a grudge. It's about making your default setting one of generosity, kindness, and patience.

Then there's the challenge of loving when life isn't playing fair – when the bills are stacking, the kids are screaming, or the job is draining. How do we sacrifice without burning out? By remembering that love isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being present. It’s not about giving away everything you have but about making sure what you give is meaningful.

Imagine transforming your relationships by deciding to love like this every day. Think of how it could shift the dynamics at home, at work, or even in casual interactions. It's about setting a pace that you can sustain long-term, where your sacrifices become investments in healthier, stronger relationships.

So, as we roll through this week, let’s try to make our love tangible. Let it be seen not just in what we say but in what we do. Let's make our love a bridge for connection, a foundation for trust, and a testament to the strength that comes from truly caring for one another. Love costs, yes, but what it returns is worth every penny. Let’s love not just with our words but with our actions, and watch how it transforms our world, one act of kindness at a time.

- Adapted from sermons preached at our Walloon Lake and Alanson campuses on 4/14/24.