If a man loves his wife and she wants the bedroom painted blue, he will do his best to see it done. And if he wants fried catfish, she will do her best to master that skill. Likewise between parents and children, lovers, friends and so on.
AMEN!
And it takes a while to understand that. Real love is doing what we don't particularly want to do but we do it because it makes the other person happy. It's over-coming "self" which is not the natural inclination of men, but its rewards are evident in our relationship with our families and with God.
We love, not because of who we are, but because of who the beloved is.
Loving God would entail wanting all of the fruits of the Spirit because He wants them: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.
It would also entail rejoicing in mercy, immersing ourselves in it because He wants it:
And it would entail wanting to be rid of everything that is an abomination to Him – whether in the world around us or in ourselves.
AMEN!
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies." -- Psalm 18:1-3 "I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
Thank you for that beautiful Psalm, dear sister in Christ, and thank you for your insights!