What is "Falling in Love?"

I was attempting to sleep through the hot, humid night....morning actually, because my clock said 1 a.m. Somewhere between conscious thought and dreams, I became aware that what I just came up with was the long overdue inspiration for a blog post.....

I was contemplating the fact that love is not something you fall into; it's a decision you must make and follow up with. So then it isn't possible to biblically fall in love, right? That's what I was trying to figure out.

Observe these two scenarios so you can see where I'm coming from.

First, look at it from this perspective: there are two people who haven't known each other for very long, but they are strongly attracted to each other. Neither has ever felt that way before about someone, so this must be it. Should they marry because they are madly in love with each other???

Now, look at it this way: here we have a man and a woman who know each other well, both are walking with God, and both believe they will serve the Lord better as a team, so they marry. Should they not, as a married couple, be in love with each other???

Then what is "falling in love?"

In the world's mind, it is being infatuated with a person's looks, personality, etc. Although few would readily admit it, this type of love is rooted in selfishness. It is living for the minute -- doing what makes you feel good.

To Christians, falling in love entails something much higher and nobler. Falling in love is the mutual joy of a man and a woman in giving their hearts to each other. This means each one's wildest dreams, highest hopes, deepest convictions, greatest fears, acutest pains, strongest affections, and fullest confidence is all committed to the other's trust, to be shared between them for a lifetime.

Obviously, no human can fully give his/her heart to more than one other human, so the goal is to save it for the one and only. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life." What better way to keep your heart for your spouse than to give it first to the Lord? "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one" (2 Thess. 3:3). Surrender yourself entirely into His hand, a nothing can snatch you out. He will guard you and guide you and give you more than you could ever imagine!

(Eph. 3:20; Jude 24,25)

"The LORD will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands."

~Psalm 138:8