I work with some grandmothers at my job, and so often, they proudly tell of the delights that their grandchildren bring when visiting. On one such occasion, a co-worker was gushing over the blessing of babysitting her new grandbaby. The love of a grandmother is a beautiful thing, so unconditional at times. The love of this co-worker for her grandbaby was so evident as she told the story and visually re-enacted holding the baby in her arms. Then it happened. She said something which revealed a deeper spiritual truth that I am confident she did not intend. She proudly proclaimed, “I loved on her, and she pooped on me.” Every mom and grandmother in the office smiled and laughed since we shared a common bond as those who have been pooped on as well. But, immediately, my mind focused on a deeper and more powerful truth.
Love stinks sometimes. We can get “pooped on” even when we love. Yes, love is a marvelous thing. Webster defines it as a “strong positive emotion or affection.” But, in our society, love can come and go depending on circumstances and changing feelings. It is a powerful thread in the web of relationships but one which can also become untied, frayed, or even destroyed. You see, when one gets “pooped on,” love can retreat, and love can regret. Love can easily turn to hate. But this is not the love of which the Bible speaks. The words of my co-worker reveal a picture of the love of which the Bible speaks.
“But God demonstrated His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, for love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
“Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love.” 1 John 4:8
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12
From these scriptures, we learn that love cannot just be a passionate affection. It has to be more because we are commanded to love even our enemies. It is a command which we are to obey, proving that we are His children. It is a choice we make to “be stretched or to be strained” in loving (MacArthur Study Bible p. 1916). This kind of fervent love, as mentioned in 1 Peter 4:8, “requires the Christian to put another’s spiritual good ahead of his own desires in spite of being treated unkindly, ungraciously, or even with hostility.” (MacArthur Study Bible p. 1916).
This kind of true love is a picture of what Christ did for us. Love’s very nature is to cover sins. Don’t get me wrong. I am not suggesting that loving someone means that there are no consequences for their bad behavior as if such behavior is just overlooked. But, I don’t want this truth to get lost, that we, as followers of Christ, should always be “ready to overlook and forgive insults and unkindness against us” (MacArthur Study Bible p.1916) or in the spirit of this writing, even when we “get pooped on.”
In God’s word, love is so much more than just an emotion, and thus it can remain. It can remain when we are hurt by the words and actions of others, even fellow believers. It can remain because we have the “love of God poured out of our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). We display the love of God to the world when we love. This is His way of showing Himself to the world. He, Himself, gives us the ability to love. What an amazing gospel! 2 Corinthians 2:14 speaks of a wonderful truth. It says, “But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” He has chosen to use us in this way, and such love is the very expression of God! It is true that we can get “pooped on” despite the love we give, and yes, love sometimes really does stink but, oh, smell that aroma of Christ!