24 Jul Love in an age of social media

Love has been a live-wire topic and curiosity down the ages. Artistes from fields of arts, literature, theatre, music, and songs have all attempted to define and showcase love. It has sustained all times, wars, shipwrecks, storms, and pandemics. At present, we live in an age of social media where romantic love is glorified, if not deified. Our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter feeds are bombarded with messages and images depicting love. This is the age relationships are made, defined, and expressed through social media. Love is expressed through heart emoticons and relationship status’ have become ‘complicated’. It seems as if others have it all – the perfect display picture, the perfect relationship, and above all the ever-elusive ‘perfect love’.

What is love? Is there something called as true love? How do I find and experience this love? These are some of the burning questions most young people have.

Love is an emotion. Webster’s Dictionary defines it as ‘a strong affection for another’. It is in fact, more than just a feeling or emotion. Billy Graham says, “True Love is an act of the will”. Love is first a choice, a commitment, and the feeling for the person follows. The Love described in 1 Cor 13 is more a verb than a just a noun. Love has always been about giving than getting. “The Love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay: Love isn’t love until you give away.” – Oscar Hammerstein, Song Writer.

Here are some pointers to prepare yourself to find and experience that true love in this age.

• Accept and alter yourself: Take time to understand and accept who God created you to be. Maximize your strengths and work to minimize your weaknesses. It is not just about finding the right person but being the right person.
• Be on your guard: Be conscious of your physical and emotional boundaries as you interact with the opposite gender whether face to face or through Facetime. Define your boundaries – how far, how much, and how long? It is better to refrain than regret.
• Equip yourself to grow: Interact with healthy social circles and fellowship groups to learn from and grow with. Optimize this time to excel in whatever you do. Pursue a hobby and use your creative talents to glorify God.
• Deepen your relationship with God: Focus on growing in love with your Creator. Pray and commit your unknown future to the all-knowing God. As someone once said, your heart should be so hidden in God that your future partner must seek Him to find you!
• Choose godly counsel: Have an older mentor of the same gender. Someone with whom you can confide and seek guidance. Someone who has your best interests in mind and will be thoroughly honest with you.

God is the perfect personification of LOVE – “God is love.” God will fill you with His perfect love, peace, and joy and guard your hearts and minds as you commit yourself to make right choices in life!