ROAD to 31 Devotional Day 21- "Before Times Up"

Listen to "Before Times Up" from my new mixtape https://m.soundcloud.com/jeannie-ortega-2/before-times-up-mix?in=jeannie-ortega-2/sets/road-to-31-mixtape-jeannie

Before I really understood the value of life, I use to hate hearing things like - "tomorrow's not promised" or "do the right thing before times up." As I got into my 20s and became more and more disenchanted with the frailties of humanity, I started to look for the one thing we all had in common- from the meanest person to the happiest- the same was true. Everyone wanted love.

Unfortunately, love has become so minimized these days, people throw it around so casually that the true meaning of the word is lost in pretension. Even I misunderstood infatuation for love at one point. Have you ever heard the saying, "Those that love you the most, hurt you the most?" Do you honestly think that's the Love God intended for us to give each other?

For me, I had given my life to Jesus but my baggage from growing up had followed me. One night, I found myself home alone while all my siblings were out celebrating a birthday. I was lonely and heartbroken that I had no way to join them. Matters got even worse after I saw online that my ex-fiancee had joined my family at the party. I was home feeling pathetic, angry and even betrayed. No one did anything to intentionally hurt me but the enemy went on to list all the reasons I should be mad. Amazingly, God met me in that moment and directed me to His word. The first thing I turned to was the full breakdown of what love in God looks like.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

Man after reading that, I felt so convicted because I was full of rage and was trying to find all the reasons I was wronged, I was totally wrapped in a selfish bubble. As I read the scripture a few times my heart melted and my anger turned in a prayer - 'God help me love the way you intended us to love.' That evening started me on my journey to true love. For myself, for others and for God.

Luke 10:27

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Romans 13:8

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."

1 John 4:16

“...God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."

1 Peter 4:8

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

1 John 4:18

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love"

These scriptures changed the way I loved everybody! As a single woman at the time, I knew what to look for in a godly man. As a daughter, sibling, relative and friend- I learned what I need to do to truly love my loved ones with no strings attached. And now as a minister and wife, it's a reminder to keep my relationship with God solid so that His love can overflow in me to all those around me.

Reflection: if you are looking for a chance at love, look up first! Learn the true definition of love from Love Himself and that is what you will attract true love to you