Theme:   Love Sex and Marriage - How to Keep Your Marriage Growing

This eDevotional was written by a volunteer from Timberlake Church.

READ:   John 11:32-36

THINK:  Shopping for painting supplies at Home Depot recently, I came across the common marketing ploy of ‘good, better, best’.  You’ve seen this, right?  Similar items of differing quality are offered at different prices.  When I first encountered this, it seemed that the idea was to steer the customer to the ‘best’ product so that the retailer would sell the highest priced item.  But I’ve come to realize that it is actually a pretty useful idea.  The best is not appropriate for every situation.  A garden shed which just needs a little protection from the elements can be painted with a ‘good’ roller and brush with no problem.

When we look at the four different Greek words for love, as Pastor Ben covered on Sunday, it can be easy to focus on the ‘best’ type – agape.  After all, this unconditional, selfless love is the love God has for us.  Shouldn’t we strive for this always?  Well, maybe not. 

You see, God also created phileo (brotherly love), storge (affectionate love), and eros (passionate, sensual love).  Each of these types of love has been given to us by God, and each is meant to be experienced in the proper context.  Each brings great happiness when shared as God intended.  Certainly, we can abuse these gifts by applying them to the wrong object or seeking them at the wrong time.  But every type of love has a place in our lives.

The Bible reading for today is taken from the story of when Jesus brought Lazarus back to life after Lazarus had been dead for four days.  It seems that people had followed Jesus to the home of Lazarus and his two sisters.  Seeing Jesus weep over the death of his friend, the crowds commented on the phileo love Jesus had for Lazarus – clearly, they were close.  Jesus knew love other than agape in the way such love was meant to be experienced.  We should, too.

DO:  Recognize and relish a non-agape love today.  Laugh with a friend, hug your pet, or share an intimate moment with your spouse.

PRAY:  Father God, every good thing comes from you.  Thank you for the gifts of phileo, storge and eros.  Forgive me for the times that I have misused these wonderful types of love.  Help me find appropriate times and ways to know and share all of the facets of love that you have made.  In Jesus’ name, amen.