An Extraordinary Love

For Jacob, time seemed suspended. Serving Laban, his father-in-law to be, the work must have been hard. But for Jacob these seven years flew by, seeming like just “a few days.” We can imagine how different he must have seemed to the other workers—more joyful, more cheerful, more grateful. What was different? He was in love!

This was a love that would stand the test of time and endure any circumstance. His relationship with Rachel was not merely a physical attraction; he truly had bonded with her. He had found a “soul mate.”

So deep was this love, that it endured the deceptive treatment he received from Laban, who, at the wedding ceremony, substituted her sister Leah, for Rachel. Undeterred, Jacob accepted the complicated family that Laban had forced on him. Yet Rachel remained his true love throughout their lives.

The world longs for stories like this—stories of romance, of men and women who find lasting love.

Ultimately, this kind of love is given only by God: love that is patient and kind, never selfish or self-centered, always trusting, always caring about the other person (1 Corinthians 13:4-7), practical and sacrificial. This is the kind of love God showed when He sent Jesus into this world (John 3:16). This is the love Jesus showed when He gave His life for us.

The world is filled with people searching for love, but settling for lust or physical attraction. God offers us something deeper: divine love, transforming love, love that comes from His Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Through His Spirit, we can experience something special, beyond our comprehension—extraordinary.

Today, allow your life to flow with the Holy Spirit. Let His love fill you, surround you, and change you. Be His instrument of love.