On this race, I have traveled in 25 different countries and heard dozens of languages being used to communicate, but I have come to realize that there is one language that supersedes all others, and that is the language of LOVE. I recently read a book by Gary Chapman called God Speaks Your Love Language. You see, we are all able to speak and receive love in a variety of different ways, and it is important to show love to someone by speaking their “language.” I had really wished I had read this book sooner, because it definitely opened my eyes as to how I could have loved people better in my past relationships, as well as how I could have asked people to show their love for me as well. The five love languages include quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, physical touch, and acts of service. I will describe each here, and also tell you some examples of how God has shown each in the Bible.
The first one, acts of service, is one I speak very well, especially when it comes to my job. I love serving my very deserving students and their families. Different acts of service can include working at a retirement home or in a soup kitchen, or helping with a new building project or at a homeless shelter. It can even be something as simple as feeding your kids dinner in the evening or running an errand for a friend. People with the love language of service usually pray for more opportunities to serve, and will react strongly to those who perceive them as failures. One famous acts of serviceperson was Mother Theresa who spent her whole life giving to the dying, sick, and homeless. In Acts 10:38, Paul talks about how Jesus went around doing good and healing all those who were under the power of the devil. Jesus served everyone from the lame, the sick, the possessed, the children, and the apostles. His life was one of pure altruism and service. Jesus commands us in Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
The second love language is gifts, a love language that can be very fun to speak. Maybe you enjoy giving money or presents to charities, friends, or coworkers. Also donating your time can be considered as the greatest gift of all. Being able to recognize a person’s needs or wants and fulfilling them is truly a great talent to be cherished! You could give out encouragement cards at your church or send sympathy cards to the sick. People with the love language of gifts usually pray for health and finances, and their downfall is unanswered prayers. In Matthew 24:34 Jesus says, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Also John 3:16, the most famous verse in the Bible, “For God so love the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God’s greatest gift to us was Jesus and the eternal place in heaven that He has prepared for us.
The next love language is physical touch. This can include shaking hands, patting backs, or being physically moved by music. Examples can include comforting the sick or showing physical affection to friends and family. People with the love language of physical touch usually pray to feel the presence of God, and their downfall can be when they are struck with any physical illnesses. Many examples of touch are present in scripture; for example, Saul was struck blind on the road to Damascus, Peter healed the lame, Jacob wrestled with God, and Jesus touched the lepers’ body and blind eyes and washed the disciples’ feet. Even the sick woman on the road knew, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.”
The fourth love language is words of affirmation. Everybody needs encouraging words to boost their confidence and know that they are doing a good job. It could be a simple compliment in their day or more creatively, a love note, poem, or song written for that person. In church, we sing our affirmative words to God in praise hymns and worship songs or speak them out in prayers of thanksgiving. David is a good example of a words of affirmation person from the Bible. In Psalm 18, he says, “How sweet are your words to my taste.” Also, Psalm 100 talks about singing joyful songs and shouting in joy, thanksgiving, and praise. As we enter into the kingdom of heaven, I imagine we will hear all this joyful noise indeed. People whose love language is words of affirmation usually pray for wisdom. Any critical or corrective words spoken to them are usually very painful!! This is a love language I have been trying to develop more on the race, speaking and receiving words of affirmation to and from others.
The fifth and final love language deals with quality time, engaged in quality conversations or activities. These people usually pray for more responsibilities and activities, as well as more time alone with God. This could be spending time reading the Bible, reading a daily devotional, or having nightly prayer time. Prayer walks and memory verse packets can also be meaningful tools. In John 17:24, Jesus told his followers that he would be with them forever. James 4:8, God relays that the nearer we come to Him, the closer He will come to us. For quality time people, spending time with non-Christians can be detrimental. Usually, these people prefer having deeper rather than broader relationships with people.
So there you have it friends? What do you think your love language is? Can you guess which love languages are mine? If you are still having trouble deciding, you can take an online test to figure it out. Leave me a comment or tell me when I see you in only 3 short weeks, so that I know how I can better love you!
Love in Christ!
Susan
