#MeditationMonday‬ – Out of the abundance of a man’s heart, his mouth speaks.

Welcome, dearly beloved. I pray the mercies of God over you throughout this week. I hope to encourage and build you up in the Lord. I pray that you will gain a deeper understanding of the spirit of love. As you grow in this knowledge and understanding, may you be empowered to share your convictions with others.

Today we’re meditating on Ephesians 5:2

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

The “love bug” atmosphere is all over the place this February. Whether you’re single or not, the thought of love has probably crossed your mind over the last few weeks. Some of us are expecting surprises on V-Day but for others, it will be no different than any other day of the week.

How should a right-minded Christian approach V-day then? Well, Scripture encourages us to walk in love. This is different from the conventional approach of “falling” in love.

V-day is not the time for “falling in love”. In fact, there’s never a time we’re told to fall in love in scripture. On the contrary, we’re told not to be swayed by things which appeal to our fleshly and materialistic tendencies.

So why would anyone want to be led by their feelings and experience the sensation of “falling in love”? Falling hurts. We fall because we stumble. We stumble because we’re not paying attention. We’re not paying attention because we’re distracted. We’re distracted when we lose our focus. Are you getting the drift now?

The falling in love tune is a distraction from what God actually instructs us to do: walk in love. 

Okay, what does it mean to walk in love?

Looking at the context of scripture where that phrase is taken from, walking in love means to demonstrate love in the same way we have received it from Jesus Christ. Freely you have received, also freely give. We know all the characteristics of love from 1 Corinthians 13, so let’s not go over them again here. However, it is those characteristics that we are supposed to use in our love walk. But this is difficult to do without the Spirit of Love.

God is Spirit = God is Love = Love is Spirit

Walking in love is accomplished by constantly abiding in the atmosphere of love through the Spirit of Love, just like in Psalm 91:1.

Further, real love is demonstrated in giving – not just the giving of materialistic things, but the giving up of oneself and one’s desires in an effort to help another person. God was willing to give up His son – that shows us the extent of His love and His willingness to sacrifice for us. This is why God tests our love through giving. How much are we truly willing to give up on our love walk with God?

On the flip side, the people you think you’re in love with or vice versa, are they willing to give up anything to be with you? Are they willing to pay the cost? or will they run at the first sign of trouble?

Love is a fragrant offering and sacrifice unto God. Our love walk is a race to the bottom, not to the top. Many people entered into relationships at the start of the year in anticipation of having someone to show off with on V-day. This is not the way to approach love. In fact, it is not love at all.

Love is a walk, not a race.

Doing such things is a sign of desperation. There is no need to be so hasty to “find love” because, it’s not really something you find, it’s something you abide in. Good and godly relationships happen when two people on similar love walks cross paths. The love that springs forth from such a relationship is not a race to see who is the most romantic; it’s a marathon walk to see who’s the most selfless.

As men and women who are children of God let’s meditate on this piece of scripture and set a goal to abide in Love. Begin your love walk today with this prayer:

Prayer: Dear Lord, teach me how to walk in love. Teach me how to carry a spirit of love with me at all times. Guide me on my love walk with you O God. As I give myself away in love, may I encounter your joy. I ask Father, that you grant me the grace to be fully content at the end of my journey. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.