For try as we humanly may, it seems often impossible for us to forgive those who have caused horrific and lasting grief and damage to those we love, including ourselves. Yet Christ's commands stay unaltered. For Christ insists we forgive, not in our own strength, but in the power of the Spirit. Love has been dissected, analyzed, and debated, in various attempts to provide guidelines or edicts which give full measure to the meaning of Christ's words, or perhaps to define the limitations within which we can be expected to love. Perhaps we could look at a new definition of love for the incoming millennium.
Love is unselfishness.
It is honesty, integrity, humor, compassion, empathy, understanding, patience, self-care, a listening heart and ear. It is looking at the world, at people, at circumstances, with eyes that perceive every facet of their focus, yet see beyond the present and envision changes which may be wrought in God's time. Love is letting go, rather than clinging to. Love is embracing, rather than abandoning. Love is letting go of hurts and pain, offering forgiveness and peace in their place.