Love Is a PersonChikamu

Relationships would be easy if it weren’t for the people. It’s a humorous statement, but so accurate!

Even the best of relationships can be difficult to maneuver. After all, we are imperfect people trying to coexist, and the closer the relationship the harder it can be.

We all have our ways—our habits and quirks. “Our way” is the how, when, or why we do things or think they should be done. Most married couples disagree over how the toilet paper hangs, how the towels and t-shirts are to be folded, how to discipline the children, the temperature of the thermostat. Kids certainly have their ways and it is usually the opposite of the parent's. We like our ways. Most often we believe “my way is the right way, and your way is not!” 

When your way crosses my way, there is often conflict and friction. But the choice to practice love happens at the intersection of your way and another’s. In this intersection of ways, 1 Corinthians 13:5 NLT reminds us, “Love does not demand its own way.”

When we follow and agree with God’s way, our ways lose their power over us. As we align with Him and give up our right to be right, we gain freedom from not having to always “win.” Love chooses to glorify God rather than choosing to have the last word or be right. After all, when we push to win or be right, someone else has to lose and the only thing that wins is our pride. We get to choose whether we win, or love wins, because 1 Corinthians 13:5 TPT goes on to say, “Love does not selfishly seek its own honor.”.

The word honor is rooted in value and glory. Your attitude of honoring another elevates them above your desires, opinions, and ways, and instead, offers them a position of high regard. 

Honoring and esteeming another presses so strongly against the darkness of the spiritual realm it presents an almost tangible energy as we give that person space to be who God created them to be. Love, in the form of honor expressed for another, in turn, honors God and makes room for Him.

Giving honor to someone, especially when they don’t deserve it, allows the miraculous compassion of God to invade our hearts so we can see that person as He does—chosen, loved, and highly valued, created in His own image. Our demonstration of His love for them builds a place of trust, security, and safety.

When we understand and accept the immense value God has for us, we are then able and willing to honor others from His strength, no matter how difficult they may be.

“You will bring God glory when you accept and welcome one another as partners, just as the Anointed One has fully accepted you and received you as his partner.” Romans 15:7 TPT

Consider reading today’s scriptures from The Passion Translation (TPT)