Last week, I shared examples of how to recognize Lasting Love, and I hope they gave you valuable insight. If we are able to distinguish the difference between the Eros and Philo types of love, compared to Agapé, it helps us understand and distinguish between the three.
In summary, as long as you are expecting something in return, it is not Lasting Love.
Is Lasting Love relegated to the category of only doing what some might consider “nice” things?
No, absolutely not. Lasting Love can look like anger…recklessness…harm…destruction. It takes on many forms.
When a mother or father has to protect their child, it can look like many things. It can take the form of punishment…of discipline…of rescuing, or it can take the form of not enabling, among other ways. For the one on the receiving end (and even those who are looking on), these type of actions can feel or look cruel, harmful, destructive, etc. But if the parent is coming from a place of love and protection, rather than from a place of ego, pride and self centered fear, it is Love. When Jesus of Nazareth threw out the moneychangers from the temple, it appeared that He was acting in anger. But in essence He was acting from Love of His Father.
Lasting Love is transformational. It is not something you understand, but something you experience. Lasting Love truly is a mystery.
Why are we able to have Lasting Love with some and not others? I have heard it said that when we are able to recognize the same essence of God in others as in ourselves, then Lasting Love is ignited. We are recognizing that very essence of Life that is in us, in them.
And in return, we love them unconditionally, thus experiencing Lasting Love.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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