True love is more than romance

THE EDITOR, Madam:

A love between a man and a woman has to be more than a romantic attraction. For true love is all-encompassing.

It is the antidote for good mental and physical well-being – which is the basis of a stable society. But, unfortunately, it becomes the light that remains hidden in the light. For, when love endures throughout a marriage or any other relationship, it has to be based on principle to be sustainable. Yet, such principles do not rob true love of its warmth or affection.

Principled love is not like a mechanical drill or a task that one carries out by route between two or more groups of people. The Bible, for instance, identifies love as being patient and kind. Imagine if patience and kindness were to become a rule that governs human behaviour! Yet, being patient and kind has to to involve some kind of feelings towards the object of one’s patience, since there is nothing to gain by exercising them .The scriptures further point out that “Love is not jealous, it does not brag or become puffed up”. Thus, for people to shun such traits as jealousy, braggadocio and pomp, is not just to do with a principle, but involves an internal reconstruction of spirit.

The reliable book mentions also that “love does not look for its own interests, nor becomes provoked, it does not keep account of injuries”. There can be no better perception against reprisal killings and a blood-for-blood mentality that is so common.

True love is contemporary, and sustainable – for it does not rejoice over unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth. Moreover, it bears all things, hopes all things, believes all things. Which does not mean that love is naive or gullible, but presents a bright and sunny posture in spite of doom. Imagine a world where love is not just a romantic occasion between a man and a woman but a society that runs on its principles!

HOMER SYLVESTER

Jacksonville, Florida