“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” – Romans 12:12
What makes love worth it?
Many of us know about the three main types of love: romantic, familial, and platonic. To go in-depth a little more, C.S. Lewis’ book, The Four Loves (a great read—highly recommend!), goes extensively into these types of love and more. He talks explicitly about eros, storge, and philia, three different types of bonds we can experience in life.
Eros (romantic love) is the classic type of love many of us may yearn for—leading to a multi-faceted, complex and intimate connection with another person. Storge (familial love) exists within our families. It is unconditional and provides us with a sense of belonging, support, and security, the perfect model being the Holy Family. Finally, philia (platonic love) is the non-romantic type of love that prevails in friendships, usually characterized by support, respect, loyalty, and feelings of warmth and affection.
What if I told you there was a fourth kind of love?
Lately, I’ve been reflecting upon agape love: the highest form of love and charity. It is one that is sacrificial, selfless and profound. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is a verse that beautifully depicts agape love and is a verse that some of us may be familiar with.
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Agape love is what makes everything worth it.
It is a type of love only Jesus exemplifies; His ultimate sacrifice was being nailed to the Cross so our sins could be forgiven. Agape love is the type of love that I strive to embody—with others, my family, peers, and even my future romantic partner one day. To display and provide that type of unselfish love that prevails, just as Jesus did, is admirable and motivates me when waiting for the right person for me.
For most of my life, I’ve always yearned for romantic love. Growing up, I watched a lot of Filipino soap operas and Christmas Hallmark movies. Nowadays, I tend to watch a lot of Korean dramas. These genres all surround cultivating romance and “finding true love.” Needless to say, I am a hopeless romantic. I see several people—those in my close circle of friends and others I follow on social media—who have long-term romantic partners. That unquestionably evoked feelings of sadness and longing for me to share my life with someone else. It has been a challenging and emotional experience since I have not had many opportunities to form intimate and romantic relationships in the past.
However, in my prayers with God and reflections as a leader in the CFC-Youth community, I am reminded to “rejoice in hope, to be patient in tribulation, and to be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Trusting and surrendering myself to God is something that I have been focusing on these past few weeks of the new year, and wish to continue to do. I am reminded that I am being moulded and prepared for God’s best in my singlehood while He is doing the same for her. In spite of that, if God calls me to another vocation besides marriage, I am confident that this season in my life will not be wasted. I am called to never settle for less than what I am worth in my singlehood. In pursuing my goals and aspirations and trusting Him, I, too, can grow and transform by letting go and trusting in Him that I am not missing out by being single.
I am reminded that I am given so much more by the Lord—through my family, friends and everyday encounters, I experience familial and platonic love. I am able to bask in the Lord’s sacrificial and agape love through scripture, adoration, and attending Mass. Because of life’s ups and downs and the whirlwind that is the COVID-19 pandemic, I have learned to appreciate the little and grand victories that life brings. It is only a matter of time before God picks someone for me who is worth the wait, risk, and sacrifice.
Jacey Soriano – Brother Youth Communications Program Head | CFC-Youth GVN/GVS
Whether you’re in a relationship, discerning about someone, or waiting for the right person to come along, we are all called to trust in God and His plan for us.
Aiming to creatively share the real meaning of love, CFC-Youth GVN/GVS will be hosting A Love Like This: Worth It, an event that will feature genuine stories of young people sharing their journey of longing, losing, and loving.
Through music and testimonies, we will learn what true love is, how to surrender to God at every stage in our lives, and why it is worth it.
See more here: https://fb.me/e/3ekR0U4iU
