LEARNING TO LOVE
by Creation Life
Love is the cornerstone of wholeness. Scripture tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8, 16) and that He created us in His image with the capacity to love deeply and wholly. In the Bible, we are called to love God first and foremost but also to extend that love to others and ourselves. This divine love is not merely an emotion but a profound commitment that engages our entire being.
God has equipped us to love with our whole person — body, mind and spirit. This wholistic approach to love is beautifully captured in the words of Jesus:
“Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:29-31
LOVING WITH THE BODY
Your physical self is a powerful instrument for expressing love. You can love with your body by serving others through acts of kindness and care. This might involve preparing meals for those in need, visiting the sick or elderly or using your physical strength to help with practical tasks. Taking care of your own body through proper nutrition, exercise and rest is also an act of love, as it enables you to serve God and others more effectively.
LOVING WITH THE MIND
Your intellect is a gift from God meant to be used in love. You can love with your mind by seeking to understand others, showing empathy and practicing forgiveness. This involves actively listening without judgment, seeking to see situations from different perspectives and choosing to let go of grudges. Additionally, loving with your mind means filling it with positive thoughts about God, yourself and others. Studying Scripture and engaging in continuous learning are powerful ways to grow in love through your mind.
LOVING WITH THE SPIRIT
Your spirit is the core of your being where you connect with God. Loving with your spirit involves nurturing your relationship with God through prayer and worship. It’s about aligning your will with God’s will and allowing His love to flow through you to others. This spiritual love manifests in fruits such as joy, kindness, gentleness and self-control. It’s a love that perseveres through difficulties and remains steadfast in the face of challenges.
Applying whole-person love in your daily life starts with prioritizing your love for God. As you grow in your relationship with Him, you’ll find it easier to love others and yourself in a more complete way. This might look like starting your day with prayer and Scripture reading, treating your family members with patience and understanding or volunteering your time and skills to serve your community.
Remember that whole-person love is not about perfection but about progress. It’s a lifelong journey of growth and transformation. As you practice loving with your whole being, you’ll discover new depths of connection with God and others. You’ll find yourself becoming more compassionate, more understanding and more resilient.
God has created you with the incredible capacity to love wholly. By embracing this gift and intentionally engaging your entire being in acts of love, you can experience the fullness of life that God intends for you. Start today by asking God to help you love more fully in every aspect of your life.
