The other day, I read this post by Pastor Rick Warren. If you know that name but are not really sure how, he is the founder of the Saddleback Church here in Southern California and has written a few dozen books, including The Purpose Driven Life.
I do not worship at his church, but years ago a relative encouraged me to register for his daily email blasts. Some days, his message has a really rewarding impact; it's funny, incriminating, inspirational, etc...For me, the message below is one of those. I hope you enjoy it too.
*Note: I've cut the God-related section, which you can do to this entry without compromising the take-aways you will probably appreciate most. If you want to read the whole text, click on the link below.
xoxo,
Paige
Excerpted from "Why Love Doesn't Just Happen" by Rick Warren:
http://rickwarren.org/devotional/english%2fwhy-love-doesn-t-just-happen?roi=echo7-18264458149-43090570-f987575439c7ae5e1cebaf896e09c41d&
Today we’ve bought into this myth that love is uncontrollable, that it’s something that just happens to us. In fact, even the language we use implies the uncontrollability of love. We say, “I fell in love,” as if love is some kind of ditch. It’s like I’m walking along one day and — bam! — I fell in love. I couldn’t help myself.
But I have to tell you the truth: That’s not love. Love doesn’t just happen to you. Love is a choice, and it represents a commitment.
There’s no doubt about it: Attraction is uncontrollable and arousal is uncontrollable. But attraction and arousal are not love. They can lead to love, but they are not love. Love is a choice...
...That doesn’t mean everything will become perfect; it doesn’t even mean that person will accept your love. But you are the only person who can stop you from loving someone else — because love is a choice you make.
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