As we mature in life, as we move from mortal understanding to greater spiritual insight, we learn that the word love denotes a greater and expanding reality approaching cosmic manifestation. Indeed, we are beginning to understand that love is more a matter of the will than it is a matter of feelings. It is possible for us to choose to love. Our mortal flesh follows suit then with feelings that we would ordinarily call affection.
Love is an attitude, an intention of service toward our brothers and sisters. Love is the desire to do good to others, and when it is wholly sincere, it will result in actions. If love was based upon feelings, it would be limited only to those with whom we are comfortable. When our Master entreated us to love our enemies, he transcended the realm of feeling in terms of a door of entrance. If we are commanded to love our enemies and love were based upon our feelings, this would be absurd and impossible, but we are indeed enjoined to love our enemies, therefore logically and truly, this love is not ultimately or even initially a matter of warm, fuzzy feelings. To love our enemies is to be God-like and to recognize that the status of 'enemy' is in large part a category of perception. When we love an 'enemy', we think to ourselves, what good could I desire for this other person? What could I pray for, wish for, and even possibly help effect that would be in the best interest of this, my 'enemy'? To love another then is a matter of intention, a matter of attitude.
Love takes no account of worthiness before the bar of judgmental human nature. Love is patient and kind. It is not paranoid. It does not imagine evil about other people but always expects the best, and as has been so beautifully stated, love never fails. Love is the attitude of God. It is the essence of God's nature. It was out of God's loving heart that he decided to create the worlds of time and space because he desired to share his nature, his existence, his joy, with other personalities. Love begets love. It creates new opportunities. Love rejoices in diversity and in the expansion of reality. Love is never self-centered, never scraping, stingy, rude or abrupt. Love expands to embrace all others, therefore love is the greatest thing, the greatest reality in the universe.
Knowledge is constantly expanding, and that which is superseded falls away like scaffolding। Our expectations for the future are imperfect and will be fulfilled in ways greater than we can imagine, but love remains the staple, the foundation, the quest, and the eternal prize.
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