I found this piece of paper and I was struck with a thought. As I look around, it seems like our culture is obsessed with talking about love. Our songs, bumper stickers, and slogans are all full of it—love that is. Social justice is not merely a biblical mandate; it’s become avant-garde. Most of the churches that I see other young people filling have at their center some program to do things for those in need, in the name of love, and that is what should be. But, it is interesting that the popular notion of love is so incredibly general.

In my attempts to live out the Word, I often will write out a verse that I want to integrate into who I am. The picture is an example of this. I leave that paper in places that I will be certain to come into contact with throughout the day (dash board, wallet, man-bag pocket, bathroom mirror etc.). This particular piece of paper I found under my driver seat today, so it doesn’t always work that well, but I try.

This verse is interesting because I don’t automatically think of the attributes in it when I say the phrase I love you. It equates love with patience and kindness, not being jealous, boastful, proud or rude, not demanding, or being irritable, rejoicing about truth over injustice, not giving up on someone, being faithful and hopeful. That’s different than the way I use it.

Now, I support the popular social justice efforts 197% because it is overdue, and it is about time that the church got off their fat pew and did something. My thought is simply that I need to remind myself that love is more than just doing good things and since you are a lot like me you might need a similar reminder. It’s more than kindness. Look at how many elements in the verse are exclusively matters of the heart.

When I say I love you at bedtime and goodbyes and all other times, I don’t necessarily intend to promise the things in this verse; however, I probably should be— trusting that, by God’s grace, he can help me to make it so.

Like most of pop anything, there is a depth that is missing in our culture when love is spoken of. It’s good to know that the Bible gives us some bearing on its most important theme. Am I the only one who uses the words I love you without considering the depth of these words? Hit me with your thoughts.