It is the season of Love. There are gifts, candies, hearts, movies, and an obligation to lean into love. But love does not live in the month of February. Love is the point of everything. It’s not just a feeling it is the primary mode of being.
Jesus talks about the “greatest commandments” are to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-39). But what does that mean? If love is so, “great” then how do we practice it? How are we actually supposed to love God and love others and what is the result of that kind of life? In a world full of distractions, we often miss the opportunity to give and receive love simply because we are not awake to it. The beauty of life, the richness of relationships, and the depth of our faith all grow when we intentionally lean into love.
Here are three habits to help you lean into love and experience the kind of life Jesus calls us to.
- Love God: Cultivate Intimacy with Him
It all starts with God. Learning to love God is the beginning of wisdom and a life well lived. This is the foundational habit. Don’t skip this one. Sometimes familiarity is the killer of love and attention. Don’t assume that church attendance, Bible reading, or good deeds is loving God if it is mindless. Loving God is engaging with your full heart to the reality of God, and making a habit of staying engaged with God.
Jesus said, “Remain in my love” (John 15:9), reminding us that love flows from presence and patience.
Practical Habit: Slow down and notice God. Eliminate hurry. Spend unstructured time with God through prayer and Scripture. Instead of rushing through devotions, linger in his presence. Listen. Speak honestly. Meditate on his word, allowing it to transform your heart.
Key Verse: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
Reflection: Consider how often you approach God just to be with him rather than to ask for something?
- Love Others: Serve Selflessly
Loving people is what happens when good intentions meet real world actions. If you want a good example of this then look no further than Jesus.
He exemplified love in action through service. Think about the time he washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:14-15), a task usually reserved for the lowest servant. Jesus was not concerned about whose job it was, but he was concerned with how to serve and love those closest to him. Love is self-sacrificial service/ It’s putting others before ourselves.
Practical Habit: Serve others every day. Don’t worry about how “big” it is but do pay attention to consistency. This could mean offering encouragement, meeting someone’s physical needs, or simply being present in their struggles. Shift from asking, “What do I need today?” to “How can I serve someone today?” Whether it’s a kind word, a listening ear, or an act of generosity, small daily choices add up to a life of love.
Key Verse: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
Reflection: Consider who in your life needs to experience God’s love through you today? Service is not just for their benefit; it transforms us, aligning our hearts with Christ’s.
- Love Life: Stay Awake to Beauty and Opportunity
The truth is that many of us go through life half-asleep, caught up in routines and distractions. And because of this we often miss the beauty of the present moment and the opportunities to give and receive love. But Jesus came so that we might have life “to the full” (John 10:10). To love life is to live fully awake and witness God’s goodness in the small things, to honestly know joy, and to connect the goodness of life to the love of God.
Practical Habit: Stay awake and be grateful. Take nothing for granted. Talk about what you are grateful for. Keep a journal of observations of all the good things you notice in a day. Train yourself to see beauty in the ordinary, whether in nature, in relationships, or in small acts of kindness. When we appreciate life, we naturally become more loving people, because love flows from a heart that is full.
Key Verse: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
Reflection: How often do I rush through my days, missing the simple joys and opportunities for love? Slowing down and being present opens our hearts to both give and receive love more fully.
The Call to Lean into Love
Love is action oriented. When we love God deeply, serve others selflessly, and embrace life wholeheartedly, we step into the abundant life Christ has for us. Love changes not only the lives of those around us but our own hearts as well.
Today, lean into love. Take one small step whether it’s spending quiet time with God, choosing to serve rather than be served, or simply pausing to appreciate the beauty in your life. As you do, you’ll discover the power of love to transform your heart, your relationships, and your faith.
What kind of life can love produce? Only one way to find out, live it.
