LOVE: THE ETERNAL FLAME OF HUMAN EMOTION

Love, a concept as old as humanity itself is the emotional glue that binds us together. It transcends time, culture, language, or geographical boundaries. It is a force that draws people together and elevates them to a different world or plunges them into the depths of sorrow, pain, and depression. Love has a wide spectrum of feelings; from the love we have for our family and friends to the love shared between passionate lovers.

Love is a universal language that is capable of uniting people. It brings joy in its purest form. It manifests itself in hugs, joy, laughter, and companionship that lasts a lifetime. It has the power to draw people together in spite of the wrong-doings, wounds, and dissatisfactions encountered in relationships. It converts ordinary moments into extraordinary moments to remember.

Love is not without challenges. It can be a source of pain and despair when it is not recognized or accepted by the other, misunderstood for whatever reasons, and plunges people into depths of dejection and misery. But it can make people discover their ability to stand alone for the truth and principles.

It is a journey that supports and takes us forward in life. From the whispered words of affection and gentle hugs to the strong supporting pillars of family, love answers the mysterious questions of everyone. It is a bond that is unbreakable if woven with undoubted trust and faith in one another. It is the art of compromise, the willingness to part with, with the least expectations, and the divinity to forgive and reconcile.

Familial love provides the foundation of life on which we are able to lay down the hard rock of growth and stability. It helps us to move forward undauntedly with a smile on the face.

Love between friends is a bond that withstands the tests of time and situations. They become our chosen family ready to support in our life’s trials and temptations and expose us to a world of opportunities capable of changing our destiny for good.

Romantic love takes us on a journey of self-discovery, experiencing our abilities, strengths challenges, faults, limits, pride, and ego that either help us to build or break relationships.

Self-love is often overlooked and sacrificed in the love spectrum to bring happiness and laughter to the family ties. A concept with the least importance in society taught over centuries to make people, especially girls, forgo their interests for the benefit of the family, to light up their world of loved ones, ultimately being consumed like a candle. But in the present world, with growing digital technology and the change in perception and outlook, self-love is gaining importance. It is bringing awareness of rights and values to all helping self-discovery and self-satisfaction.

Divine love or Godly love is the essence of all other forms of love for God has implanted it in our hearts to grow and cherish for the sustenance of life on Earth. Without that bit of divine love in us, we cannot experience the true love of family, friends, or soul mates. The Bible says in various chapters:

Corinthians 13:4–8 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.

1 Corinthians 16:14 - Let all that you do be done in love.

Colossians 3:14 - And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

These verses remind us of the importance of love in our lives and encourage us to show love to those around us, just as God loves us.

1 John 4:7-9

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him.

1John 4:20

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

Mathew 5:43-48

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Lord Jesus said, the most important commandment, is to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.