Yesterday, Chaplain Curtis shared a message on the importance of love—both in our relationship with God and with one another. Not just any love, but a love that lasts. A love that reflects agape—the eternal, divine love of God that never fails. The truth is, we cannot love the way our new life in God requires apart from the help of the Holy Spirit. Human love has limits, but God’s love does not.
I was reminded of this when I heard a recent interview with Dr. Chuck Swindoll. He and his wife were celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary over dinner when a waiter asked, “What’s the secret to staying in love for 70 years?” Dr. Swindoll responded simply, “This is the way marriage is supposed to be. Seventy years ago, we stood at the altar and promised God we would give to this other person our life, our love, and our commitment—no matter what came our way.”
Agape is not sustained by emotion alone—it is sustained by covenant, by commitment, and ultimately by God. Jesus demonstrated agape for us in Scripture. It was agape that held Jesus to the cross and die for us, not the nails.
Our lives here are fleeting. Scripture reminds us that we are like grass—here today and gone tomorrow. Yet within this brief window of time, we’ve been given something extraordinary: the opportunity to love with divine love. The older I get, the clearer this becomes.
I love my Lord, who has given me life, a loving husband, family, friends, and a deep focus on His Word. I am truly blessed to live with an awareness of being surrounded by the goodness of God. And yet, this life is not the believer’s destination—it is the proving ground. This is where faith-driven love is tested, refined, and revealed. Because this life is temporary, but life with God is eternal.
So, it only makes sense: if we are going to use our time wisely and fulfill God’s purposes, we must embody His Word. We must live the gospel—not just believe it. The gospel translates love into every area of life. It shapes how we think, how we respond, how we forgive, and how we remain committed—even when it’s hard. This is the new life we’ve been given. This is the life believers have promised to live.
Peter, learned the truth that while everything else in life may fade, God’s love is sure and will outlast this life and lead us into the next.
1 Peter 1:23-25 NLT
23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say,
“People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
25
But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
Prayer: Father, remind us that this life is temporary, but what we do in love carries eternal weight. Shape our hearts so that we do not waste the time we’ve been given, but instead live each day reflecting the truth of the gospel. Teach us how to love the way You love. Help us to love with patience when it’s difficult, with kindness when it’s undeserved, with faithfulness when we feel weary, and with commitment that reflects Your covenant with us. Bless our relationships, Lord—our marriages, our families, our friendships. Strengthen them with Your divine love so that they become a testimony of Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.