So many songs tell us about love: what it is, whether it is a sweet blessing or a painful curse. I find it funny how so many songs about love don't agree about what love is or what it feels like. However, I still sing them and often relate to them. After all, we have all felt the euphoria of love as well as the sting of unrequited love...but is that really love?

The Bible describes love differently. It describes love as patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast. It doesn't dishonor others or keep records of wrongs. Love isn't self-seeking or easily angered. Love rejoices in truth and takes no pleasure in evil. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. Real love never ends (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

The stuff we sing about rises and fades, often like the tides. But real love is the strongest power in the world; because God is love. More than ever, we need this kind of love in the world.
Steve Peralta is the pastor of Valencia United Methodist Church. www.umcv.org