Wired for Love

Friday, October 22, 2010

… God is Love. (1 John 4:8)

Recent studies in neuroscience have shown that when a person is attracted to another, the brain constantly releases a set of chemicals, including pheromones, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin which stimulate the brains pleasure centre and lead to side effects such as an increased heart rate, loss of appetite, an intense feeling of excitement and loss of sleep. In other words, scientifically, it feels good to be in love. No wonder William Shakespeare made a killing with Romeo and Juliet (pun intended). People are wired for love.

There is a deep internal need in us to love and be loved. We were created in the image of God and God is love. But in this fallen world, love has certainly been distorted. We take advice on love from friends, romance novels and television. We let the need for a good dose of those pleasurable chemicals drive us towards the wrong places. We do everything for the image of love and reject the original love.

There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. (John 15:13)


How do you measure love? John 15:13 tells us how Jesus measures it. The cross is the place where true, great and full love was demonstrated. The rest of it is an image. This is where God intended for us to get our fix of love and we, in turn are called to give him perfect love (Luke 10:27). He illustrated His love to us by dying on the cross (Rom 5:8) and we are called to illustrate ours to Him by walking in His commandments (John 14:15). This does not mean love between people does not happen, after all, ‘it is not good for a man to be alone’ (Gen 2:8). But even that love, is measured against the sacrifice of Christ (Eph 5:25).

Applying this is the tough part. Accept, supply and expect. First we need to accept the love that God has already given. Even when times seem rough and it seems that God does not love us any more. Remember He has already proven Himself and that His love is perfected and free. Take it. Next, we must be willing to supply this love to others. Actions speak louder than words as they say. Love is more about opposite party than it is about oneself. Be willing to sacrifice. Lastly, we need to expect nothing less from those who say they love us. Their actions must show it. However, if people do not give you perfect love, you should still strive to love them perfectly because God’s love is not conditional, neither should ours be.  

We are wired for love and we often take it and give it in its diluted form. My prayer is that we start going back to the original design.
 
With Love
Yunam