You Can’t Stop Love

by Tim Howard 

Valentines Day has come and gone! Cards were received. Flowers were purchased. Chocolates were eaten and presents were given – in the name of ‘LOVE’

LOVE seems to be the descriptive word used to define this day for most people. Many either heard or spoke the words: ‘I love you’ to someone they care about.

Love is a verb and is activated when it does and doesn’t do certain things. Paul the Apostle in 1 Corinthians 13 says: If you really love someone on any level there are some thing you will continue to do and other things you will stop doing. He actually gives 10 descriptions of what love doesn’t do and 5 illustrations of what Love does.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. NLT

The simple truth being conveyed in these verses is: Love doesn’t remain silent. It knows when to speak up and when to shut up. It knows when to advance and when to retreat. It knows when to give and when to receive. Most important: Love never ceases! You can’t stop love!

The test of real love is not a one-day celebration. It’s not a one-time purchase of some flowers or candy. It’s not the big things but a lot of little things. The real test of true love is time! If the words ‘I love you ’ are still being acted upon in May, Sept and November – then the words spoken on February 14 might be genuine! Why? Because love never ceases – You can’t stop love.

God wants you to find true love on every level. He’s willing to teach you about the different kinds of love and how to love people as He loves people. The love of emotion is based on a desire but the love of devotion is based upon a decision. Every time a mother decides to change a baby’s diaper, even though she has no desire to do so, she exercises true love.

Whenever you decide to sacrifice something for the benefit of another by putting their needs before your own desires, you express true love. True love is a decision that never stops.

When my wife and I were married on Feb 16, 1973. – we made a commitment for better of for worse! I didn’t know what that meant back then – nor did she but we both do now.

True love is offered 24/7 and 365 days of the year. When things are good and when things are not so good.

For better or for worse! When you feel like it and when you don’t feel like it.

That’s how God loves us and that’s how we are to love Him and others. You can’t stop love!