Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. —1 Corinthians 13:4-7
The indigenous Inuit community from the northwest region of North America has over 50 words for different types of snow. Living in a colder climate, snow is part of their daily lives, their routines, their entire existence. The Inuits must have realized at some point the differences between the types of snow. Distinguishing between the different types must have also been important. One type of snow might be better for building structures than other types. One type of snow might be more treacherous to walk on than other types. The abundance of snow and its various forms call for the use of distinct, identifying words. The Inuits have over 50 names for snow because their livelihood and existence rely so strongly upon it.
Christians have many different names for Jesus, even more if you count all the names for God and the Holy Spirit (you know…the Trinity being three-in-one and all). It makes sense to have different names for the central focus of our lives and our livelihood, much like the Inuits having different names for snow. Jesus’ various names refer to the various roles he plays in our lives. He is a Redeemer, forgiving us and providing us with an opportunity to forgive ourselves; he is a Prince of Peace, bringing calm and patience to chaotic or violent situations; he is a Counselor, the one who listens to us and comforts us. He is the Cornerstone of our faith and of our lives, which calls for the use of distinct, identifying words.
The St. John’s youth group is currently making their way through a Bible study that discusses all the different Greek words for love. The Greeks of Jesus’ time used at least seven distinct words for love – storge, agape, philia, eros, ludos, pragma, and philautia. Love must have been very important to Greek society during this era. Why else would they find the need to distinguish between different types of love? It also makes me wonder…does our society, which does not have many different words for love, value love as much?
We may not be able to change our society’s view or value of love, but maybe we can start with ourselves and our church. We should challenge ourselves to value love above all other things. We first have to develop a strong understanding and distinction of what love is, though.
Reflecting over the following scriptures might help us better value and appreciate love in our lives, as they provide a very clear distinction of what love is.
Scriptures for Reflection: Matthew 22:36-40; 1 John 4:7-21; and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Lord Jesus, help us to value love the way you’ve instructed us to. Help us to seek and share love in all we do. Let us show love to others so that they might also learn to value it in their lives. Help us to change the hearts of those around us to be more focused on love above all else. And change our own hearts too, Lord, if we fail to hold love in its rightful place. Love’s rightful place is at the center of our lives. Let us not forget that in all we do, especially in what we do for the sake of your name. Amen.
Connor Dean