Love. When you hear the word “love,” what comes to mind? Is it romantic love? Friendship? Affection? Happiness? Interest? Joy? 

Love is commonly portrayed romantically. Look at romantic comedy movies, love songs and romance books. But love can also manifest as other types: friendship, affection, happiness, joy and more. Love is more than deep, romantic feelings shown in romance movies, books or songs. It can look like showing up for your friend who is struggling. It can look like spending time with your grieving grandmother who just lost the love of her life. It can look like igniting a passion for an old hobby or project. 

When you love someone or something, your brain lights up. Love activates dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter that sparks activity in your brain. 

John 3:16 may be one of the Bible’s most overused verses, but it paints a picture of true, holy love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV). This act of holy love from God is filled with hope. God displayed one of the greatest acts of love and because of His grand display of love, we can love Him and others. “We love because he first loved us,” according to 1 John 4:19 (NIV). 

Kevin Watson writes about holy love in this month’s issue. He writes: “We can boldly pursue holy love in this life because it is promised in Scripture and because God is able to fulfill His promises to us.” He writes about this gift of holy love that was given to us by God. He emphasizes the crucial order given to us by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-40: 1.) Love God, 2.) Love others. Our response to His gift is to love Him and others. 

Love is all around us. It can be experienced as romantic, friendship, affection, joy or happiness. You can experience it when spending time with friends and loved ones. You can experience it in the way your friend shows up for you unexpectedly. You can experience it as showing compassion to strangers. 

This month and onwards, look for how love is shown around you and how you show it in unexpected ways.