AGAPÉ
Jesus, my friend, my peace of mind
Jesus, my safe place, my strong tower
And nothing compares to You
No other love will do.
Jesus, the only one I turn to
Jesus, there’s no heart You can’t move
By Your grace, restored, renewed,
Like morning, I feel brand new
And nothing compares to You
No other love will do.
“Your Name Jesus” by The Walls Group
The ‘Way of Love’ passage, found in 1 Corinthians 13, is known for telling us exactly the kind of love we should strive to give. At its core, it acts as instruction, but more than that, it tells us the kind of love we experience perfectly in the God we serve.
Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends…(1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)
Since the Bible is true in telling us that God is love (1 John 4:8), then it also has to be true that God is all of the things listed when describing love. The examples of this are endless. God has shown His patience and kindness by prolonging His return with the desire that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus Himself proved that He was not self-seeking when He submitted to the cross, despite admitting to the human desire of wanting His deadly assignment to be removed from Him (Matthew 26:36-44). He rejoices in truth because He has proven, time and time again, to be the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
We could go on and on, but to do so would be of no use if these basic truths are not internalized at a heart level. What happens when you know all of these things intellectually, but your heart is far from believing it?
What do you do when the job is difficult, the family is a deep source of pain, the political climate feels hopeless, the relationship is ending, the church has dissapointed you, and the healing doesn’t come? What do you do when God’s love feels far from active, and the pursuit of other loves seem much more promising?
My suggestion? Sing songs like this.
When finding ourselves in a mundane season spiritually, our natural tendency is to seek out love and purpose in other places. In this fallen world we live in, it is an understandable habit for us to look elsewhere when we believe we aren’t receiving what we ought, but just because it is habit does not mean it is holy. Songs like “Your Name Jesus” act as reminders of the ways God has moved in our lives. Because the past cannot change, neither will your testimony, and choosing to remember it holds more power than we are capable of grasping (see Revelation 12:9-11).
Only God can supply the unconditional, agapé love that we are all desperate for. Our triune God is the only source of love that is truly steadfast and consistent in its nature. It is the only love that teaches us to healthily love others. Being fueled by and reminded of this love equips us in the dark.
One of my favorite quotes from C.S. Lewis is where he says “God always allows for us to experience the frailty of human love so we’ll appreciate the strength of His.” Through this radical affection, we have testimonies that cannot be denied, we have experiences that we can look back on, and we have the motivation to keep pursuing this God we will never fully understand. While we cannot fathom the fullness of Him, what we have been able to grasp about Him has always been, and will always be, good.
No matter the season or circumstance, God is consistent in nature and character. God is still your friend, your peace of mind, your safe place, and your strong tower. He does not change when your experience of Him changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the same in summer, winter, spring, and fall. And because He is the same, and His love is the same, He is worthy of your pursuit the same.
Aim to be faithful as He is faithful. Aim to be holy as He is holy. Aim to love as He loves and prioritize receiving His love, even when it feels like it is nowhere to be found. Rest in the fact that the very Bible that presents the gospel is also adamant about God’s love being one that never ends. Lean into it in every season. No other love will do.
Listen To The Song!
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/6Pv34ViehaigwiiGAeGbid?si=d3e8aefa97fc4b70
Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/album/your-name-jesus/1658179695?i=1658180133
