In my youth, because of the exmple displayed by my parents and family, I knew what “love” looked like. However, due to my youthful ignorance and inexperience, I did not know “how to love.” I allowed social convention to mislead me as to the proper way to express affection toward another. Then to add to my already perverted exhibittion of infatuation, my percption of beauty became warped as well.
Society tells us that if we like or are attracted to someone, have sex with them. That the quantity and quality of sex while in a relationship is indicative of the level of “love” between the two. Or, how the size or price tag of a gift determines how much “love” we have for someone. But the greatest error in thinking I adopted was the belief in being able to “fall-out of love” with someone.
My misunderstanding as to how to appropriately show adoration was the cause behind my many unsuccessful relationships. None of the women are to blame. Yes, they had their issues, but doesn’t everyone. I take full accountability for the breakdown of those unions. Not knowing how to love others stemmed from me not knowing how to love myself.
The journey of science of self begins with self-analysis. We have to begin with accepting what Genesis 1:26-27 says regarding us being made in the image and likeness of Yahweh. Once we have come to this realization, the next move is to fulfill the mitzvah (commandment) given in Deuteronomy 6:5 where we are instructed to love Yahweh with all our heart and soul. This admiration for the Divinity (Yahweh) within self reproduces an admiratioin for the same Divinity (Yahweh) present in others.
Over the years I have come to understand that by loving my God-self, whatever I indulge in, Yahweh is effectively indulging in as well. And whatever I do to and for others, I’m doing to and for Yahweh. “God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (1John 4:16).
The Hebrew word for “love” is “ahav.” What’s interesting is that this word is a verb. Ahav (love) is action, not necessarily an emotion. As a verb, synonymous with “love” is “to care for, to venerate, to exalt, to uplift, to give self-respect to, or to support.” 2Chronicles 19:7 says: “Now let the awe (i.e. reverance/love) of Yahweh be in you; act with care, for there is no injustice or favoritism or bribe taking with Yahweh.”
It shouldn’t matter if someone has a different political view than our own, that someone even has a different religious affiliation than our own, or that we disagree with certain lifestyle choices made by others. I am not held responsible for how someone else lives their life. I only have to answer for how I treat that individual.
“If a man say, ‘I love God,’ and he hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen” (1John 4:20). Isn’t it time that we stop lying to ourselves?
HOTEP (Peace)
DONOVAN DAVID CLARK #A390-726
3791 St.Rt. 63
Lebanon, O.H. 45036
-or-
DONOVAN DAVID CLARK
#A390-726 at http://www.jpay.com
Interesting read…