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What is love? Such go the lyrics of a very popular song when I was growing up. Have you every truly wondered what is love? Ever thought what it means? The Bible says that God loves us, but is that what the Bible really says? No, in fact the Bible very clearly states that God loves us so much that he gave his one and only Son to us. Now before we go any further I want you to think about it. God loves + God gave. The Bible very clearly states that because God loves us He gave his Son to us. Now hang on! The very same is true of all of us too. We love to give gifts and spend lavishly on those we love, be it our family, friends, or even that very special someone in our life. Ever heard of "Talk Is Cheap" or "Words Mean Nothing Without Action"? The reason I say this is to just drive home the point that indeed words such as "I love you" have no meaning unless they are supported by action that goes along with it. Now do not get me wrong! I am not saying that more expensive a gift, more is the love. I am not talking of the gift here, but specifically of the act of giving! A lot of us can and do give expensive gifts without really giving anything simply because we can afford the expensive gifts and it does not mean much to us. Now real giving need not always be expensive gifts or items. How about giving some of your very valuable time? How long has it been since we took a day off or even spent an evening with someone we love or at least we profess to love? This is where real giving comes into the picture i.e. giving something that costs us even if it is our time! Think about it. Giving need not always be something that costs a lot of money. It could be our time, a kind word, maybe appreciating someone, sometimes even saying a thank you and meaning it! The Bible describes love like this (you can read up more of it in I Corinthians 13th Chapter also known as The Love Chapter). If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. I would like to draw your attention to a section in this passage. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. Is our love patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no records of wrongs, does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. Does it always protect, always trust, always hope, always persevere! If so then our love will never fail, but do keep in mind that all else will fail. More on www.nela.in