"Just because you love someone doesn't mean you have to be involved with them. Love is not a bandage to cover wounds." ~ Hugh Elliott
I don't know what to say about this statement. I read it once and i think, "oh, spot on." (yes i think those words) Yet then I read it again and thing, "that seems way off, aren't we to love in order to mend the wounds?" But I like the first part. ::wink:: (if you don't get it, it wasn't meant for you, it has its direct purpose for someone)
Someone very dear to me asked me to respond to her latest post, so being the smart/submissive ::wink:: type person that I am, (those of you who know me, know that what i just said is most definitely not me) I began to formulate my thoughts. While mulling over the vast amount of areas I wanted to cover, I realized that this would be much too deep and lengthy for a "comment".
So, you asked me to respond the statement you posed near the beginning of your thoughts: is this a bad, good, or neutral thing. For those of you who don't know what I am talking about, my better half has a thought that keeps surfacing: her purpose in life is to love people. More specifically that while showering people with her love, they may see that she showers them not with her love, but with the love that overflows from God.
The background is set and it's time to act smart... ::cracks knuckles/back/neck:: Alright, well, here we go. I must turn to one of your favorite movies (tori), not one of mine, but the message stuck with me, "the greatest thing is to love and be loved in return". Know it? Moulin Rouge (sp?) Although the movie turns to a quite drastic set of circumstances, the message, or at least, foundation of the plot is sound. "The greatest thing is to love and be loved in return." God goes so far to say that if we don't have it, we are useless, which from the big man upstairs is quite a scary statement. This being in 1 Corinthians uh...13 near the beginning, actually I'm pretty sure it is the whole first paragraph of that chapter. Quick side note, Thrice did an amazing rendition using the philosophy previously stated. So without love, quite frankly, you are not living. It is the thought that provokes you, the passion that moves you, and the commitment that binds you. Without love, the world would become a shade of gray, where no color could break through. Remember, that the word love has its many facets, and upon closer examination is rooted and intertwined through every component of our lives. Love, is our sole purpose in life. As Christians we are commanded to show God's love, that is why we are on this temporary dwelling. (thanks reebs, your post really came into play =] )
Ergo, your feeling that loving is your purpose is most definitely a good thing.....yet a bad thing? (bad isn't the word i want to use, but you said it so for the sake of cohesiveness i must...) It is a good thing that it comes somewhat easy for you. As for your feeling that you are a judgemental person, let me put it this way, if you find someone that is not judgemental, the foundations of my faith will come crashing before you, for I believe along with the fall came these defensive behaviors. And yes this is most definitely a defensive behavior which is carried out aggressively? hmm... Anyway, through our insecurities we try to put people down, this is basic mothering sayings 101: "they make fun of you because they are jealous of you." So don't be discouraged about your judgements. No, we shouldn't make them, but it is something we all struggle with, at least from my perspective, as a coping and defensive mechanism.
Here is where i must caution you. For along with love and forgiveness comes peoples sinful desires of manipulation. It is something we all learn extremely young, and another selfish mechanism we use for our daily lives to get what we want. It isn't a bad thing. Just a bit of advice. There are those who will take advantage of the good hearted soul. It's what I am always telling you, don't compromise who you are, but stand your ground and fight for yourself. Ahh, this is what i wanted to say in this section. Being the amazing individual that you are and the caring person that you are, you need to remember that you need to care for yourself as well. Not saying that you don't, however, you need to be sure that you are not a pushover, and that you can take care of yourself as well as others.
Quick synopsis: I'm not sure if I emphasized the positive aspect enough, but yes of course it is a good thing, just make sure you aren't being manipulated and used. (quick synopsis...a little redundant)
"Love is the thought that provokes you, the passion that moves you, and the commitment that binds you."
~ Erich Hoefke
~ Erich Hoefke
Despite being directed at a certain someone (!) I also really enjoyed your thoughts on love and purpose. Seems many of us are contemplating those things at the moment!
ReplyDeleteHeh, I got a shout out!
ReplyDeleteWhat you're trying to tell her about not letting others take advantage of her love is reminding me of something I recently read in The Great Divorce (loooove that book ^^).
There's this character Frank and he comes from Purgatory/Hell to visit Heaven where he meets the woman who was once his wife. She is amazing; she has more love for others than almost anyone else who lived on earth and being in Heaven that's magnified. Frank was always the type of man who took advantage of that, of her pity. He put on this big 'woe is me' mask in order to manipulate her. Anyways the point of their whole encounter is to explain the point of and place for pity. Lewis says "Pity was meant to be the spur that drives joy to help misery." He talks about how sometimes people's misery can be used to hold other's love to ransom.
But God's love is not at the mercy of frowns and sighs! (<- paraphrasing the master there...)
Good post, good post.