Approbation. My mother always told me that I needed it, lots of it. I heard her say it so often I was surprised to learn that “Words of Affirmation” is not my primary love language. Still, affirmation and approval feel good. Especially when the source seems to be God at work in my life!

This has happened several times recently as I have pondered love, unconditional love, and the consequences of not living a love-motivated life. The first was after I wrote my second blog. I “suddenly” remembered something I had gleaned from the writings of poverty-guru Ruby Payne. What I discovered about how persons living in poverty, the middle class, and wealth see love is that it is the only thing persons from all three classes have in common. No matter what a person’s class they view love as conditional. WOW! Eye-opening! No wonder it is so difficult for us to believe God loves unconditionally! And no wonder we experience loving unconditionally as one of life’s ultimate challenges.

The second time my thinking about love was affirmed, seemingly out of nowhere, was during a staff meeting earlier this week. The three of us were discussing the areas of ministry we would like to address in the future. Out of her wisdom, Diana, expressed her desire that we help others rethink how the Great Commandment (Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. Love others as well as you love yourself.) and the Great Commission (Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you.) fit together. She expounded her thoughts by saying if we are Great Commandment Christians then the actions of a Great Commission Christian will naturally follow.

Diana issued a challenge: Let’s be Great Commandment Christians! Right on! She gave me permission to use the phrase so count on me doing that from now on.

And the most recent time an affirmation of my current thinking (I confess that I started to say pontification but that is far too erudite – sorry, I love words! about love came to light was earlier today as I finalized my notes to facilitate a Bible study this Sunday. One of the three persons who contributed to the current unit of study’s Teaching Guide (Smyth & Helwys’ Formations series) wrote: Jesus’ radical call to love one another and give ourselves sacrificially is at odds with everything our society calls “normal.”

So the affirmation is I am not alone in my thinking! It’s good not to be alone. However, the challenge remains. If God’s love is in us the world will know it!