Love is a Verb
The word LOVE is quite odd. People often treat it as if it is a noun, or a pronoun if they’re in the habit of calling you ‘love’.
But of course in English we use the word love for many many things. You may have heard that the Ancient Greeks have several words for love all exploring and explaining a slightly different aspect of love. The number tends to vary as authors choose the words that make sense for their piece.
But for all of them Love involves both a feeling and an action arising from that feeling. Quakers have a testimony to equality, believing that all of us are equal. For me it is a foundational belief for the other testimonies and how I try to live them out. For me that belief in equality means that I need to treat everyone with love – in the same way that I want to be treated with love as a worthy-of-love being.
I was reading a book (about interjections, oddly enough) yesterday which included the phrase “In these days of political correctness…” talking about no longer making jokes that denigrated people for their culture or for the colour of their skin. And I thought, “That’s not actually anything to do with ‘political correctness’. That’s just treating other people with respect.” Which made me oddly happy. I started imagining a world in which we replaced the phrase “politically correct” wherever we could with “treating other people with respect”, and it made me smile. You should try it. It’s peculiarly enlightening. I know what you’re thinking now. You’re thinking “Oh my god, that’s treating other people with respect gone mad!”
Acting in Love
That doesn’t mean you try to do everything for everyone, or stay in toxic relationships, or don’t have good boundaries… Instead it means if in doubt, act in love.
Have you ever heard of an author called Bob Goff? His book Love Does was a challenging introduction many years ago on how love doesn’t sit patiently and dispassionately loving people and hoping that someone else does something. Instead love gets up and does something. I’m just about to finish my third run through his daily challenge to ‘Live in Grace & Walk In Love.’
Living Out Love Through Action
Thankfully, it’s not necessary for everyone to try to copy saints or even someone else’s life, instead we’re to do what we’re called to do in love and action. That might be ensuring that employees and volunteers are treated with respect and love by ourselves and others, that the building we work in has gender neutral toilet signs, is as accessible for all users as possible – from easy to understand signage and non assumptive documentation, lower coat hooks, to appropriate taps, door widths, and ramps…
Or your community might work with others on aspects of social justice, equality, or with others concentrating on homelessness, refugees, peace work or some other activity that helps you live out your beliefs.
There are many ways that we can show our love and respect to those around us. From those who work within our organisations, to who use our building, or are members of our communities, or live in the wider community – that ten miles around circle I mentioned in a previous post.
- How do you show love for others while at work or volunteering?
- Does your building or organisation clearly reflect and show your own values and beliefs?
Take heed, dear Friends, to the promptings of love and truth in your hearts. Trust them as the leadings of God whose Light shows us our darkness and brings us to new life.
Wendrie Heywood
MBS Founder
