Agape – Love in Action
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. —1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (ESV)
Agape love is much more than an emotion; it is deliberate acts of selflessness. It is an unconditional and sacrificial kind of love, going beyond human limits because it flows from the abundance of who God is.
I saw agape love when my grandma cared for her mother, whom we affectionately called Gigi. Alzheimer’s gradually took Gigi away from her family and herself. As the disease progressed, the full-time caregiving my grandma provided demanded patience, attention to detail, and very little sleep. Her own self-care had to take a backseat. While the illness changed Gigi's mind, my grandma kept a steady routine—just as things had always been, from TV shows to the temperature of Gigi’s coffee.
The relationship between my grandma and her mother was a blend of deep love and pain. My grandma had shared painful stories of how she had longed for Gigi’s approval, but it was never given. Even so, my grandma’s strong personality and resilience made it clear that although it would have been nice to have received that approval, her caring actions weren’t driven by a final search for it. They were rooted in something much deeper. The days of snarky and hurtful comments between my grandma and her mother finally ended. The pressure of her mother’s comparisons was lifted; bitterness was replaced with forgiveness.
There was no chance for a mutual ceasefire, but under the circumstances, one side was vulnerable, while the other had the choice to let go of bitterness and choose forgiveness.
My grandma selflessly dedicated her time and energy to love and serve her mother. Every two hours, she would massage Gigi’s back and feet to help prevent blood clots and would cook and serve her favorite meals. My grandma stopped planning her own trips and instead scheduled Gigi’s doctor's appointments. Despite her own health issues, her exhaustion was fueled by her unwavering commitment. While other family members urged her to bring in professional help, she selflessly dismissed the idea. Looking back, her energy could only have come from God. What an excellent example of Agape love!
Think of someone in your life who may be vulnerable or in need of unconditional, sacrificial, and enduring love. What steps could you take to show love in action that supersedes human emotion?
If this encouraged you, check out more articles from our Flatirons Spiritual Formation Team for practical tools, encouragement, and ways to grow in your faith and leadership. Click here.