In my previous posts Isn’t It Romantic and 10 Reasons Why I Write (Faith-based) Romance, I touched on matters of the heart and why I write what I do.
The art of romance shouldn’t be rocket science, but many times, the perception of romance is so distorted by what media and television purport it should be, our views become skewed and God’s original intention is missed, or worse, ignored.
Love, romance, and values are not held in the same esteem as they were years ago. Marriage is undermined, commitment is a foreign concept, and yesterday’s traditions are old news. The “happily ever after” factor now seems to be “happily ever after as long as things are smooth sailing.”
As I write about love, I often think of the apostle Paul’s definition of the word:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Cor. 13:4-8) NIV
I think it’s important to read the entire 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians because there is so much “meat” in that one passage of scripture. Too many times, God’s message is lost or missed when we don’t read His word in its entirety.
Though Paul was speaking about love in general, his message was very specific and direct regarding the true definition of the word.
I believe the reason this passage of scripture is included in many marriage ceremonies is because it charges the couple with accountability–first to God, secondly to each other, and finally to humanity.
Though I’ve certainly attended many weddings that haven’t incorporated this scripture as part of the ceremony, this passage is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. (Love is indeed the salvation message!)
I’m not a theologian. I’m a Christian romance novelist. Being such, I write about characters who are searching for their own definitions of love. Sometimes, in the stories I create, there might be many perceptions of that word. Love might be viewed as a subject, noun, or verb. Where conflict begins is when the hero/heroine lose sight of the third meaning–the action word.
Just as in “real life,” my characters often let their emotions seize the moment while ignoring God’s original intention for their lives. They miss the mark, their mission, and His plan. To get back on track, sometimes the Lord has to introduce stumbling blocks to lead them back to the foundation–to Him.
Though I create stories which focus on romance/marriage/commitment between a man and a woman, I never lose sight of where the true romance begins and ends–with the author of life, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
“…And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor. 13:13) NIV
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Jesus is our greatest definition of love. What are other examples? Is there a person or situation that comes to mind when you contemplate the apostle Paul’s definition of the word?
Comments 8
~ The “happily ever after” factor now seems to be “happily ever after as long as things are smooth sailing.” ~
So true, Cynthia. My husband and I have had a really tough year full of trials and changes, but our relationship is so much stronger because we’ve gone through them together. I hate to think of how many people give up in the midst of hard times, when they could have held on a little longer to experience something amazing.
Author
Marriages seem to be dispensible it would seem. I realize things happen and relationships falter for many reasons. And though it was not God’s original plan, hardships come and go. Equipping ourselves with knowledge of the word doesn’t guarantee “happily ever after” but it does give us a roadmap to follow when the going gets tough.
And Sarah, I agree–moving forward toward something “amazing” is ultimately God’s design for our lives. 🙂
Love this post, Cynthia! I definitely agree that today’s society is all about “happily ever until I’m not anymore.” It’s all about feelings and not about commitment. “Feelings” actually have little to do with what true love is all about. Hoping, that like you, my stories present the idea of love as a many splendid thing, and pointing always to the ultimate love of Christ.
Thanks for sharing!
Author
Yes, Jennifer, love is definitely an action word–a “verb” in my book. Too many times our heads, hearts, and emotions get in the way of what God intended love to be.
Thanks so much for visiting!
We’ve been studying Acts at church, and the Apostle Paul’s example of love is astounding. How many times he was beaten and left for dead! All because of his great love for Christ, the Gospel, and the lost.
Author
Paul is one of my biggest heroes of the Bible, Patti.
This is so AWESOME!! I totally agree. I love reading Christian romance. I just wrote my first Christian Romance novel called “Forgiving Love” about two people who are reconciled years after a tragic incident and forgiveness is the basis of their relationship. I was thinking about doing a series based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 where each novel has one of the facets of God’s kind of love as the basis. Your post is confirmation that I should proceed! Thank you for being a faithful servant and scribe for our Lord and Savior. God bless you sister.
Author
Yes, I believe this is why the faith-based romance genre is continuing to gather steam. Misconceptions about Christian fiction being “boring” or “heavy-handed” are being dispelled as we approach various life issues from a loving, spiritual perspective.
Thanks for your kind comment, Pam! Many blessings in your writing endeavors!