Love as I: A "Love One Another" Coloring Page

In the grand tapestry of life, few threads are as deeply colored and intricately woven as love. It permeates our world, from the joyous laughter of a shared joke to the comforting warmth of a borrowed jacket. Among the many forms love takes, one stands out as a beacon, guiding us through life's complexities - the love we extend to one another.

At the heart of this lies a divine command, "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34), a mandate that transcends religion, race, or creed. It's a call to action, a challenge to embrace our fellow humans with the same devotional fervor that the Divine has shown us.

Understanding the Command

Unraveling this command begins with understanding its source. Jesus, in offering this advice, set a precedent with his own actions. His life was a testament to love, marked by compassion, sacrifice, and unyielding kindness, even towards those who opposed him.

The phrase "as I have loved you" underscores an asynchronous kind of love. It's not a love reciprocated in kind, but one that perseveres regardless of the response. It's a perspective-changing concept that reshapes our understanding of love, transforming it from a reactionary force to a proactive one.

The Active Component

The active nature of this love is its most striking feature. It's not passive, not something that happens when we feel like it. It's a conscious decision, a daily choice. It's shown in small actions - a shared smile, a helping hand, a listening ear. Each one a ripple, creating waves of kindness.

It's the active element that makes this love different. It's an initiative, a proactive stance that says, "I will love, regardless." It's a promise, a commitment, as unyielding as the tide's eternal dance with the moon.

The Unconditional Aspect

Unconditional love is love that doesn't demand a return on investment. It's not quid pro quo. It's a love that loves, period. It's about being there, through rain and shine, through laughter and tears. It's about accepting someone as they are, without trying to change them.

Jesus, the embodiment of this love, loved Judas even as he betrayed him. He loved Peter despite his denial. He loved us, not because we deserved it, but because it's who he is. That's the unconditional love this command asks of us.

Living the Command

Living this command is not easy. It's counterintuitive. It goes against our natural defensiveness, our tendency to repay kindness with kindness, and meanness with meanness. But Jesus calls us to a higher standard. He calls us to love, not despite the response, but because of the response (or lack thereof).

To love is to become love itself. It's to become a vessel of peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It's to become a reflection of the Divine, loving as we've been loved.

In Daily Life

Loving one another starts small. It's in the smile offered to a stranger, the helping hand extended to a neighbor, the listening ear given to a friend. It's in the patience shown to a child, the forgiveness extended to a sibling, the understanding granted to a partner. It's in the quiet accommodation of another person's quirks and peculiarities.

It's in the intentional inclusion of anyone who feels left out, the speaking up for those who can't speak for themselves, the welcoming of the weary and the broken. It's in actively seeking out service opportunities, in becoming a blessing to someone else, as we've been blessed.

The Potent Weapon of Love

Love is a potent weapon, not in the sense of destruction, but of transformation. It's theUltimate weapon, as St. Paul so eloquently puts it, " Virus that disarms hatred, dissolves animosity, and heals divisions. It's a force that can topple empires and build nations.

Moreover, it's worth noting that loving one another isn't just a moral obligation. It's a practical imperative. Neuroscience tells us that acts of kindness trigger the release of 'feel-good' hormones like oxytocin and serotonin, reducing stress and anxiety levels. In other words, loving others actually benefits us too, body and soul.

So, let's embrace this love, proactive and unconditional, and let's love one another. Not because it's easy, but because it's necessary. Not because it's natural, but because it's transforming. Not because we'll receive love in return, but because we've received it already. And as we do, we become a reflection of the Divine, loving our world into a better place, one smile, one kindness, one love at a time.