Day 28 – Living Boldly: The Reason to Love

Photo: ©wanderluster from Getty Images Signature via Canva.com

Let’s talk about love—not the kind that looks like an empty love cup but the kind that reflects God’s character by giving and serving in a way that glorifies Him. Love is a communicable attribute, a gift that God has communicated (given) to us. Thus, we can love well, but due to our fallenness, loving well can turn inward, self-focused, and distorted.

Rick’s 31-Day Devotions

• 31-Day Marriage Devotion
• 31-Day Parenting Devotion
• 31-Day Young Adult Devotion

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many 
(Mark 10:45).

Love That Images the Trinity

Perhaps a few questions might help: Why do you want relationships? Why do you desire to date, marry, or be part of a community? The number one reason should not be about meeting your deepest longings or filling an emotional void. The ultimate purpose of relationships is to image the Trinity—Father, Son, and Spirit—in a relational community.

The Trinity is the original Divine community, eternally loving and giving within itself. When God created Adam, He designed him to reflect this relational nature. Adam was made in God’s image and could display God’s character—His holiness, love, patience, wisdom, and more.

The Problem of Aloneness

However, Adam was alone, and God declared, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). Adam didn’t lack someone to fill his proverbial love cup but needed someone to share a relational community where the fullness of God’s image could be displayed.

In this sense, Adam was like a star athlete without a team—ready and equipped but without an outlet to fulfill his purpose. Eve was created not simply to satisfy Adam’s needs but to partner with him in reflecting God’s relational nature to the world.

Love That Gives, Not Demands

True love seeks to give, not to take. Love is active, always moving from the giver to the receiver. The self-absorbed and self-indulgent has one aim: to receive love. It’s called self-love where all the action flows back to the self-centered soul. If you want to be happy and whole, you must find your fullness by serving others rather than demanding they meet your needs. The fullest people you will ever meet are those who pour their lives into others.

Jesus exemplified this perfectly. Wherever He went, He put the Father on display by loving, serving, and helping others. By pouring Himself into others, Jesus imaged a God-designed community. You are called to do the same. Rather than asking, “How can people make me feel better?” ask, “How can I reflect God by loving and serving the people around me?” It’s counterintuitive to the instincts of the culture, but if you want to experience the love of God and others to the fullest, practice loving God and others as you love yourself.

Time to Reflect

1. Do you need people to make you feel better, or do you need people to display the many aspects of the Father, Son, and Spirit? Reflect on your motivations for relationships. Are you seeking to receive or to give primarily?
2. What is one way you can change to be a better lover, server, and helper of people? Consider one practical step you can take today to love others selflessly. This action might include acts of kindness, offering encouragement, or simply listening with patience 
and care.
3. Relationships aren’t primarily about what you can gain but about how you can glorify God by reflecting His love and character. Start today by looking for ways to serve and uplift others, just as Christ did.

Let’s live boldly, loving others well and imaging the Trinity in every relationship.

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Rick Thomas

Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.

In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).