I simply love, and this is a simple, ordinary state of mind and way of thinking for me.
No one will ever be able to see with his eyes or comprehend with his mind what I am writing about. It can be felt only by the heart when one soul comes into direct contact with another. From the outside, everything looks ordinary, without form or majesty.
But God knows what He has given me and watches very attentively to see how I use this Heavenly treasure and how much of it I invest in one undertaking or another. He greatly desires to be exalted in my life. I understand this and ask for wisdom to know how best to accomplish it.
God’s dream for me is to reveal His love to me and to see His reflection—His character—in me.
Will I bring joy to my Creator? I deeply desire to do so.
Do you know the greatest sorrow of someone who loves? It is the absence of an open heart into which he can enter and give all the blessings of Heaven in the form of love, happiness, and friendship. It is so sad to remain alone with all these Heavenly treasures—unneeded, unwanted, and lonely among friends, brothers, and sisters.
But Jesus comforts you by reminding you that He also experienced all of this and understands both your struggle and your joys.
At times, you deeply desire someone to be near who will receive your love and friendship with joy and great eagerness, long for them, inspire you to greater love, thank God for you, and respond in the same way. Although love does not seek its own interests, it greatly values such people and longs to have them so that it can give itself freely and from a pure heart. The good news is that everyone will be like this in Eternity, but we must learn it here.
It is so wonderful when you love a friend, observe him, sense his spirit, read his thoughts, and see the expression on his face and the emotions produced by your influence. You immerse yourself completely in friendship and open your heart to give it to another person. You watch how you are received, how your love is valued and accepted, and how the soul of someone close to you opens to let you enter and never releases you. You see this and are in no hurry to leave. Indeed, you have no intention of leaving. Why would you? Sincerity, kindness, tenderness, peace, and indescribable joy overflow the heart. Although you are simply talking about ordinary things, soul joins with soul and heart with heart. The Spirit of God reveals to you the most beautiful things that can be found in your friend. You attend to these discoveries and quietly rejoice in the beautiful moments of the fellowship of love.
If you have such a friend, value him, protect him, and love him with all your heart. He will always bring you joy through his presence, a kind word, or a helpful deed, even if he is very far away.
Love has no borders. It is not limited by time, nationality, sex, or age. It looks for opportunities to give itself—to give itself forever—so that the next time it may give even more. Love remembers very well every place and heart where it has been received. It loves returning there to give itself once again and make that place even more beautiful.
Will you say that such a thing does not exist in this world? You are mistaken. It does. Consider little children, their sincere embraces, simple and pure words, complete trust, and acceptance of you as their friend.
This can also be found among adults, though less often. Everyone has been hurt before and does not want to experience pain again. Yet your sincere love opens the soul.
I have described the desires of love in human terms. Perhaps each of you shares the dream of being needed by someone, or even by a particular person with whom you live in the same home. But reality is not so romantic, and sometimes all you can do is dream. At times, people are ready to destroy you simply because you are kind to others.
Now imagine how the One Who is Love dreams about each of us. What is His dream for every person? With what attention He watches every process within my heart—my response and my behavior. How deeply He longs to give Himself to me! My acceptance of His love inspires Him so greatly that He is even ready to seat me beside Himself upon His throne so that we will never be separated again.
Jesus loves you, my friend. These true words contain the very best truth about you. Christ’s greatest dream is to be needed by you, received by you, and valued by your entire being.
The loneliest place for love is among people close to you who have no need of you. At times, they need your strength, money, knowledge, experience, or help, while you yourself, as a loving friend, are unwanted.
Perhaps the place of greatest loneliness for Christ on Earth is the Church. People come there to sing songs about Him, preach a sermon, or ask Him for something, yet they keep Jesus Himself at a distance behind the closed door of their hearts and make it clear through all their behavior that they do not need Him.
But love does not grow faint. It seeks a way to pour itself out. Who will receive it?
If you have a friend who joyfully receives you and makes it unmistakably clear that you are precious to him, needed by him, and welcome at any time, rejoice that you have such a friend.
When you receive into your heart a person who loves you, you accomplish two very important things. First, you inspire him toward greater love, greater changes, greater discoveries, and greater joy. You make him needed by you. Second, you yourself become loving toward others. Irreversible processes take place in your mind, and you begin discovering the laws of love, which are as eternal as God. Together with the person who loves you, you welcome into your life the One Who is Love. Whoever dwells in love dwells in God. Loving one another is such a beautiful state, and everyone who abides in it benefits. There is no sin in love. It is pure and perfect. It is the foundation of holiness and true wisdom. Whoever finds love, tastes its true essence and depth, and learns the laws of its existence gains an eternal and genuine treasure for the soul and is destined for eternal happiness, peace, and joy in the Lord.
I decided to love, and I am ready to follow this path until the final victory. Sometimes it takes years to win a person’s heart, while others surrender without a battle.
It is fascinating to live in a state of constant readiness because you think only about whom you can love, how you can bring joy to someone’s heart, and whom you can help. Love gives you commands that you carry out. It opens new possibilities before you and teaches you many good things. And it never ends. Love has a Divine nature, yet it is considered human because it operates among us. Without considering its nature, we regard it as our own possession and creation. But love comes from Heaven to bless what is earthly. It comes to remain forever and give us a portion of Eternity.
To accomplish this plan more effectively, Love takes its own sister, Friendship, as an ally. Together they seek a person whom they can teach so that through him they may pour themselves into this world, bringing love, friendship, and happiness. And this purpose will be accomplished.
Bible Verses for Reflection
James 1:25, 16–17; 2:12; 2 Peter 1:3–8; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 4:16, 21; 3:16; Ephesians 3:9–10; 4:13, 15; John 17:21–23; Zephaniah 2:3; Hebrews 13:1.