Not so long ago I read a certain spiritual author who mentioned that he enjoys to write about love more than about anything else. I thought that, perhaps, I cannot share his feelings. Personally, I hesitate to write or speak about love, finding it quite a difficult task.

There were times when I wondered if there is a good synonym for the word "love", but I could not find it. You cannot avoid mentioning love especially when you give references to the Bible. It holds the supreme place in the spiritual system of Jesus, and even in the Old Testament.

The first reason why it is not easy to talk about love is the large number of wrong ideas concerning it in people's minds. It means that those who write or speak on this subject are often misunderstood by readers and listeners.

Are we willing to face a challenge of misunderstanding?

The second reason is that our own comprehension of love is not complete. Its nature is mysterious, just like God's nature. Love exceeds even the best description. If we are trying to put love in a box, we find that it doesn't fit even in the largest box.

Are we willing to face a challenge of mystery?

Then, we need to be honest and to admit that our practice of love is imperfect. Even those who are esteemed as saints may find themselves not being able to live up to their own ideals. Trying to teach love could bring to our memory our own sad and painful shortcomings, making us feel almost like Pharisees.

Are we willing to face a challenge of imperfection?

And yet, I believe that it won't be in vain to study love and to talk about love. Even if our understanding can be likened to a grain of mustard seed, we should not despise it, or throw it away. There are no reasons to feel disappointment. "For we know in part, and we prophesy (or express our knowledge) in part" (1 Corinthians 13:9), wrote Paul. Our current state of realization and manifestation is not something to be ashamed of - if we are heading in the right direction.

Another reason not to give up on love I find in the fact that we are not alone. The Love of God is searching for ways to reveal itself to us, and to be demonstrated through us.

"The Father who dwells in Me, He does the works" (John 14:10), said Jesus. The Master lived with the full awareness of God's indwelling Presence, and attributed all His achievements to it. The Father abides in us just as in Him - and this makes possible our growth in love.

It is not we alone that grope in mental darkness.
It is the Divinity within us that strives to bring us to the point of understanding of what love is.

It is not we alone that stumble and fall in our actions.
It is the Divinity within us that leads us to perfect and harmonious expressions of love.

"The Father who dwells in Me, He does the works". You can use this affirmation when you face any challenge, including the challenge of love.

We all are in the process of growth. Realizing this, we may declare:

"I am a seed, waiting to become a beautiful and fruitful tree".

"I am a miracle, waiting to be born".

"All that God has for me, is being fulfilled, even here and now".

"I reach upward and forward for love".