Looking for love in all the right places
1. The Foundation: A Direct Relationship with God
Before looking to other people or external circumstances to fill an emotional void, the primary place to look is inward and upward toward a relationship with God. Thinkers like Saint Augustine famously noted that humans have an inherent "God-shaped hole" that cannot be filled by career, wealth, or even romance. True fulfillment is found by inviting God into emotional and needy places.
2. The Evidence: The Cross of Jesus Christ
When searching for proof of love—especially during personal hardships or times of doubt—the right place to look is not at our fluctuating material prosperity, but at the historical and sacrificial work of Jesus. 1 John 3:16 states, "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us.” Meditating on the cross serves as the ultimate visual and spiritual anchor for understanding the depth, width, and permanence of how much you are valued.
3. The Overflow: Faith-Based Community and Service
Once anchored in divine love, the right place to actively encounter and share love is through a community of believers and service to others. Jesus followed the first commandment with a second: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love is meant to be a cyclical overflow; you receive it from God and pass it to others. Practical resources suggest looking for healthy human connections within a faith-based community. Serving together in local churches, small groups, and community service projects allows you to witness and give love that reflects 1 Corinthians 13—love that is patient, kind, and selfless.
If you need to change focus toward unconditional love a very good place to start is sitting with Jesus in Church or a Eucharistic Chapel. Give Him a chance and you will experience a change from the inside out.
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