In the narrative of love, love is all-seeing, all-knowing, all-powerful. For is God not love? (1 John 4:8). And is God not all-seeing, all-knowing, and all-powerful? And has God not loved us all with an everlasting love? (Jeremiah 31:3).

     And is the great desire and master plan of God not such that, as His sons and daughters, we should all live and walk in that same kind of love? Being a love that is not only “everlasting”, being a love that is not fickle or transitory, but a love that is “all-seeing, all-knowing, all-powerful”? Which is a love that not only sees everything and knows everything, but a love that “never fails”. For is it not written that “Love never fails”? And that love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”? (1 Corinthians 13:7-8).

     And as a love that is an “all-seeing” love, is this not a love whose eyes “never falter” or “never fail”? And being an all-seeing love, does this not mean it has eyes that can see the end of a thing from its beginning? Being a love that sees all things, from beginning to end?

     Yet, when it comes to fallen man, is it not clear that where we have wounding, which is something we all do, that our wounds tend to not allow us see beyond the limits and confines of our wounding?

     In other words, where we should have eyes that are wide open to see both completely and unhindered in love, our eyes are instead restrained and turned inwards toward self. And, therefore, so too is our love. Being, instead of a love that burns forever outwardly like the sun, a love that is turned in upon itself. And so our love therefore falls short, simply because our eyes fail to see beyond the bounds and the extremity of our own wounding and brokenness.

     And is this not so because in the matter of our wounding, our natural persuasion and inclination is for self-preservation? Which is a love that, by its very nature, is now short-sighted? Because it focuses on self. Being a love that, by definition, is opposite to the kind of love that has eyes that never miss a thing, that embrace everything, and that at all times, see absolutely all?

     In fact, in God’s nature and model of love, which is the nature and model of perfect love, is there even a need for self-preservation? For if His love is a “perfect love”, which it is, then why would there be any need for self-preservation? For did we ever see or hear of Jesus preserving Himself, in any way, shape or form, when it came to loving us or His Father?

     And, yet, when it comes to the inclination towards self-preservation, has God not commanded us all to love “as” He loves? Which is to love as He loves “us”? (John 13:34). Which is to love as His “Son” loves? (1 John 3:16). Which is to love fully? Entirely without restraint or self-preservation? Which is with all our heart, and mind and soul and strength?

     Which is to have eyes that see with His far-seeing eyes. And to have a spirit that sees with His all-seeing Spirit. That we may be one: one in mind; one in Spirit; one in love. So that the eyes of our understanding may be opened and enlightened with a love that sees everything, from the beginning to the end. Which is to love through eyes that “fail not”. Which is to love entirely without filter, restraint or flaw.

     And is the diamond that is entirely without any flaw, not the most valuable diamond of all? For although it has no light of its own to speak of, it is a diamond that reflects light perfectly. And, therefore, exquisitely. For it reflects light entirely without blemish or wrinkle or restraint? And are we not all called to reflect God’s light? And shall His light in us not shine at its absolute best when it is neither “marred by restraint” nor “refracted by flaw”?

     Which is why it is so important for all of us to bring all of our wounding unto the Cross. For only through healing will the light of Christ within that ought to shine ever so brightly without, then find its expression and place without any mar of brokenness or blemish. As “a light on a high hill that cannot be hidden”. For according to the living Word of God, the only thing that counts at the end of the day is faith (not self-preservation) expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6)

     Which is why, through faith, we all need to be defined by “love”, not “brokenness”. For it will forever and always be love that defines us “at our very best”. Which is to be framed, constituted and defined by a love that sees everything, that knows everything, and that absolutely never fails (I Corinthians 13:8).

     Which is a love that flawlessly and faultlessly defines us all as the “very radiance of His glory”, and the “exact representation of His being” (Hebrews 1:3). Which is when “the LORD will make His face to shine on you” (Numbers 6:24). And when we shall all “arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you” (Isaiah 60:1).