What’s Love Got To Do With It
What’s your love language? Have you ever thought about it? Your love language refers to how you most feel love by those around you, your family, friends, spouse ext. and how you like to show love in return. There are five love languages words of affirmation, physical touch (hugs, pats on the back, high fives), quality time, acts of service and gifts (receiving a gift for no other reason than someone saw something you would like and thought enough of you to get it for you with no expectation for something in return).
You can Google five love languages to find the test to take to determine how you best feel loved. For me my main love language is words of affirmation fallowed by quality time. I most feel loved when someone takes the time to give me an encouraging word or notices something I’m doing and expresses their thanks for it. They could also just compliment me on how I look or if I’ve cooked something they really enjoy and tell me how much they like it. I also really value spending one on one time with those I love. It could be at lunch or just taking a walk, anything that gives us the chance to pour into each other’s lives and to just enjoy the other’s company.
These are the same ways God shows His love for us and because we are created in His image it is how we should show our love towards Him. For most people the way they feel loved is also the way they will most likely show their love to others. I feel this is crucial as the body of Christ to understand this. Not only for our personal walk with Christ but as we become the hands and feet of Christ to those around us who don’t know Him. It is not only a tangible way for someone to experience Christ but it is an act of worship on our part as well. For example when we show someone Christ’s love through acts of service or quality time we are showing our love towards Christ by demonstrating His love just much as we are showing Christ’s love to the person we are helping.
God has given each of us special and unique ways in which He shows His love towards us and how we feel most connected to Him. Again in my life I’ve noticed I’ve felt closer to God when I am thanking Him for what He has done in my life or acknowledging the beauty I see in the world around me, in other words taking notice of the things in my life that are from Him and telling Him that I notice it. Another way has been when I have spent quality time with Him, usually for me this looks like quiet time. No music no scripture just us. It usually becomes a very intimate time between the two of us and one that I hold on to until the next time I turn everything off and sit with Him.
I hope you would be encouraged to find out your love language and how you can best use it to not only show love to those around you but how you can show Christ how much you love Him. If you already know your love language, how are you using it to worship God now? I’d love to hear your stories.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Matthew
