The month of February is often depicted as the month of love and romance. However it’s important to remember that the definition of love is not limited to between partners or within a ‘relationship.’ There are in fact many different types of relationships that are driven by different types of love.
Others
This category encompasses the outer circle of people I’m in contact with – those colleagues at work, fellow students, housemates or even those who come across as strangers. The primary message I learn from the Word is to ‘love one another as I have loved you.’ This type of love, of course is not to be confused with romance. Rather, by showing Christ’s love I am the ‘salt of the Earth’ and I’ll start to see them warm to this attitude. In this way, I’m setting an example for them to follow.
Friends
This is one step closer than the ‘others’ category. With my friends I don’t simply want to feel wanted; I want to feel needed. What am I needed for? Companionship, private jokes, understanding. An ear to hear, a shoulder to be lent on. We can talk about anything. Of course this extends in both directions. I believe that everyone is brought into my life for a reason and a season. This kind of love is platonic.
Partner
My partner is the complimentary missing piece to my life. In the words of Michael Jackson, ‘just another part of me.’ A strong friendship is established, yet this is platonic love with the addition of intimacy and attraction. Not just physical attraction mind – or I’d only be falling into the net of lust. He cares about me, always looking out for me. And I care and look out for me. But the most fundamental thing is that we connect spiritually. Which leads me to the final category…
My creator
God loves me unconditionally, meaning that despite anything I do, no matter how bad I mess up he still loves me. He sent a part of him to die in order for me to gain eternal life, so the least I can do is to show my appreciation. We communicate, I listen, watch, pray, worship. Sometimes I’m angry but I realise that my human understanding is limited compared to His knowledge. He’s got my back; my destiny is decided as long as I follow his will.
Written by Chinazum Ukata