Love properly understood is the most beautiful thing.

Many times we think of love as a feeling. An emotion that we have little control over. If we based love merely on feelings and emotions, how would we know if it is love or merely indigestion? Feelings and emotions are very hard to control. If we let them control us, then we have become a slave to them. Love is an act of the will, something above feelings and emotions.

Surely, love is oftentimes wrapped in feelings and emotions, but that does not mean it is defined by them. Jesus died on the cross for love of us, yet He did not “feel” it. He even asked the Father for another way while praying in the garden knowing He was soon to be crucified. But, Jesus was “obedient to death, even death on a cross.” – [Philippians 2:8] In his obedience, we see His love for the Father and for us.

But is the crucifixion a beautiful thing? Sure, it is love, but how can it be beautiful? The beauty of love is not seen in outward appearance. Mother Theresa did not love just the beautiful people. No, she loved all people and thus she brought beauty into an otherwise ugly place. The slums of India shined with beauty whenever she was there. Her act of love was beautiful.

In the same way, we can look at the cross. An otherwise ugly torturous killing device was made into a beautiful thing by an act of love. It is by the cross that we can enter Heaven. Even our lives right now are more beautiful because of our hope to enter the Heavenly Paradise. A paradise won for us by an act of love, not a feeling.