'Eve, here's Adam. Honor him.'
Brooke and I dated for three years before marriage. I've uncovered a type of love not experienced with another along the journey through life together. All in all I've known my wife for over a decade, nearly 1/3 of my life.
We love one another.
We had thought this might become true as we dove into a relationship.
We proclaimed it's truth at the onset of our united life together.
We experience this truth as we travel together daily as a family.
'This is message you heard from the beginning. We should love one another.' John wrote this in the midst of describing the life of one who truly demonstrates the love of God on a daily basis. Habitually. Daily they become more like Christ than they do the devil. Pretty direct.
As we discover and experience a healthy love for one another we're demonstrating a Truth as old as anything we understand. This was and is Gods message. Love one another.
Personal observation here: Our current age, current culture desires immediate knowledge, quick decisions, immediate fulfillment. In everything from vocational success to how we want to view the world. While we might be quick to proclaim a willingness to love another, to proclaim it honestly and experience it habitually takes time. Love is slow, and just as a river slowly moves and grooves into the land, love moves likewise.
This concept flows way beyond marriage and into the array of relationships all about us. Within friendships, neighbors, working acquaintances, disciples, bosses, professors, pastors...move slow, with hope and not skepticism, move slow.
Decisions may be quick but nurturing the outcome takes time. Knowledge comes in waves yet discerning slowly how to utilize it is vital. I'm not attempting to write a prescription for the appropriate speed to obtaining relational depth...I'm simply saying there are key ingredients.
What relationships are you rushing? Why? Who are you intentional with? Is there a toxic relationship that doesn't allow for a reciprocal one-another love you ought to step back from? Is there a hard heart you ought to steadfastly, patiently share that very message from the beginning with?
Read 1 John 3 for some thoughts on what it means to love well with a love eternal.