On Restoring Love

So, after a hiatus (writer's block is really, really frustrating), I'm back. This time, to talk about love.

How do you not even give this a mention?

Today, the TV was on to TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network), a Christian television network. To my pleasant surprise, their flagship program, Praise the Lord, was not the usual affair, but a special presentation of “Restoring Love.” For the unaware (whom I don't blame, considering the media somehow ignored a gathering of tens of thousands of people in Dallas), Restoring Love was an event back in July hosted by Glenn Beck. It was the third and final of his “Restoring” series of rallies.

Unfortunately for me, I was unable to view it back then.

Suffice it to say, seeing it today was wonderful.

Now, there are many things I could discuss about it, however, one thing stuck in my mind. When Beck referenced the “American Dream,” he said it wasn't about material things. Now, keep in mind, I have not thought it was about material things for years. However, he defined it (which I paraphrase) as, “service to God and to our fellow man.”

When I look on the world today, I see people seek out “love” and the “American Dream.”

I believe believe that many fall well short of the mark for both.  Americans, particularly younger ones like myself, who have been mired in a culture obsessed with sex and things.  We forget that love, true love, is selfless. Instead, we seek love in things that make us feel good, regardless of the consequences, both to others and ourselves.

For years, we, as a people, have been bombarded with imagery and ideas that miss the purpose of that dream. We seek love and fulfillment in things and other people.

True love comes from selfless service, first to God, and through our service to God we serve our fellow man. Whether we help the needy through our own time and devotion, as we are commanded, or share the gospel, we serve our fellow man. In many ways, it is a loop, for through our service God, we serve our fellow man and by serving our fellow man, we serve and glorify God.

God is first, but the ultimate outcome is both.

If we, as a country, could return to an understanding of this basic truth, then not only would we gain an understanding of love...but we would also achieve the American Dream. Through our hard work and devotion, we can meaningfully serve others, whether we preach, volunteer, or just work in our jobs and our businesses. Because it is commitment to God and hard work for others in His name where people find true contentment.