Love is selfless but not a sacrifice! It’s a complete embrace.
Fullness of life is joyful loving; a giving and receiving. At times, love may be given where it is not well-received. Life has a lot of broken pieces that, I believe, is God's desire to see restored. When we love from the heart, it can bring a nourishment to our own soul that is its own reward. In those situations we are able to love selflessly. Selfless love is healing to our own body, soul and spirit. But, for that to transpire it isn’t our own spirit or soul that equips us.
Proverbs 3:1-8 (AMP)
The Rewards of Wisdom
My son (daughter), do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life [worth living] and tranquility and prosperity [the wholeness of life’s blessings] they will add to you. Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you]; bind them [securely] around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So find favour and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil. It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts] and refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.
We have to consider these things as we live out each day but these things are not products purely of good behaviour. These are truly fulfilled together with a Holy-Spirit-filled heart bubbling up from within (John 4:14) and they come from love itself. Jesus counsels us, apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5) because our spirit needs to be grafted to His to have His fullness.
Romans 5:5 says that the Holy Spirit has poured His love into our hearts.
To live with such a love, we open our heart up to Him and just receive. His love is abundant, far beyond our own measure. God’s love can’t help but give itself away.
If we consciously live in communion with Him then we have a unique outlook on life that is unlike anything else. The Holy Spirit has poured His love into our hearts, not our minds or our will. We receive from our heart and we give out of that. Imagine that pouring. It's not out of duty or our emotional capacity in the moment that we give. It's from our spirit that overwhelms our own emotions and nourishes both us and who we're pouring onward to. It's a beautiful thing.
When we’re walking closely with Him, in the moment, this comes eagerly and readily. When we’re not – then we don’t. It’s that simple.
Read: With All Your Heart
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