Improving Your Love Language

Gary Chapman’s Book entitled The 5 Love Languages^®, the Secret to Love That Lasts has become a classic tool used for improving relationships. It has been years since I read this book. Recently when asked to introduce ourselves in a mixed group we were to share our name and our love language. Although this provided levity, it also caused me to reflect on what God thinks about Love Languages.

God is our Maker, knitting us together in ways that we don’t even understand about ourselves. He knows how we best express our love, and He knows how those we are in contact with: spouse, family members, friends and co-workers – function as well. There is value in understanding how we perceive love and how it differs from how those around us perceive it. This takes us outside of our selfish boxes and allows us to minister to others with a deeper understanding of their makeup.

However, let us consider Christ’s model: He didn't limit himself to one method.

Christ’s Words of Affirmation are seen in His words to the woman with the alabaster jar, “…She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” (Mark 14:8-9 ESV) His Tangible Gift is seen in the feeding of the 5000 in John chapter 6. His Quality Time was demonstrated with his disciples as they shared the final Passover Meal with Him as relayed in John 13 and following. His sweet Physical Touch is displayed there as well as He humbly washes their feet beginning in John 13:4. An illustration of an Act of Service was His first miracle in the second chapter of John when He changed water into wine for His mother.

The love Jesus showed each of us on the cross embodies all of these languages, allowing His touch to be felt by all who seek Him! Aren't you grateful!

So rather than asking what your love language is, perhaps a better question to ask is: which love language do I demonstrate the least? Lord, help us to be better at reflecting and demonstrating love for You and the others you have placed in our lives.

Let us be  “ looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”( Hebrews 12’2 ESV)

(Chapman, 1992, 1995, 2004, 2010, 2015)