There are many different definitions of love we all practice everyday, the definition I live by is one found in scripture. 1 Corinthians 13 says love is patient, kind, it doesn’t envy or boast, it isn’t arrogant, rude, or insists on its own way, and it’s not self-seeking or angered easily.
This past month has been full of opportunities for the team to practice biblical love. From late nights and early mornings full of legislative visits on Capitol Hill and creating relationships with state officers across the country in Washington DC to navigating our County fairs, the team has been blessed with unique chances to strengthen how we love those around us.
Something the past month has taught me a lot more about, has been that choosing to love isn’t always the easiest decision. Put yourself in my heels: It’s 95 degrees, mid July, in DC and if you walk another mile your feet are going to fall off. The humidity isn’t helping your hunger, and the ‘easy’ choice is being annoyed, irritable, and most definitely not loving. Or it’s your County fair and you didn’t leave the ring with the banner or buckle you were hoping for, the easiest choice is going to be one where you find yourself being angry, ungraceful, and not loving. I know this, because I took the easy route. There have been many instances where instead of loving, I chose ‘easy.’ While it’s difficult for me to admit, I think it’s necessary. We have all faltered in grace and failed to love those around us. Maybe it was a lot more complicated than simply losing in the ring or being uncomfortable for an hour. But regardless of the circumstances, we need to make the decision to love everyone around us, especially when we really don’t feel like it.
Loving others can mean that you choose not to say a word when you feel like lashing out, maybe it looks like taking 5 minutes out of your day to call a friend, or maybe it looks like constantly reminding yourself that your love has the ability to impact someone- because it does. The next time we find ourselves in a situation where choosing love is the hard option, let’s ask ourselves this, “Is not loving going to make me feel better? Is it going to solve my problem?” Loving won’t solve all of our problems, but it will change the way we approach them. So next time, just love.
With a 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love,
Alicia Venegas
State Reporter
