The Power of Love

Back in the day when I had a full head of hear and far less wrinkles a popular song was the "Power of Love".  Not that I was a Celine Dion fan by any stretch of the imagination but as Ive grown older the lyrics make a great deal more sense.... 
The whispers in the morning
Of lovers sleeping tight
Are rolling by like thunder now
As I look in your eyes

I hold on to your body
And feel each move you make
Your voice is warm and tender
A love that I could not forsake

'Cause I'm your lady
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I'll do all that I can

Trust is how I'm feeling
Lying in your arms
when the world sends to much to take
That all ends when I am with you
Even though there may be times
It seems I'm farther away
Never wonder where I am
'Cause I am always by your side

'Cause I am your lady
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I'll do all that I can
We're heading for something
Somewhere I've never been
Sometimes I am frightened
But I'm ready to learn
Of the power of love

The sound of your heart beating
Made it clear suddenly
the feeling that I can't go on
Is a light years away

sometimes i am frightened but im ready to learn
the power of love

The power of love as I know it has two sides.  The positive side portrayed in the song and then the the exact opposite which is something else all together.  Everything has its good and bad and for the majority, unfortunately, we have experienced both sides.  More importantly though I am amazed at how the differences are so dramatic.  Wars have started, tears have been shed, men and women have lost their lives, people have went into seclusion and some have conquered worlds all because of love.  Lives are transformed, mountains are climbed and hearts destroyed in search of it.  People pretend to be something or someone they are not to get it and others will give up all they have to keep it.  In my life some of the most traumatic and life altering issues arise through love(others seeking and me losing).  There is nothing more important to a man than the love of a good and virtuous woman.  The Bible states that a virtuous woman's value is far beyond rubies.  In that I agree for nothing impacts my well-being and outlook on life more significantly than knowing without a doubt that I am loved.  The worst of the worst of my down days have not been the loss of loved ones to death or everyday struggles in life.  The worst of my down days have been when I am placed to wonder if I am truely loved and if I have ever been.  It is my conclusion that love is pure.  Love is powerful.  To love an be loved is a choice and privlege we have but love has a nemesis.  No, it is not hate.  The perversion of love comes through lust.  Lust deceives and masquerades as love thus focusing the power reserved for love to speak and act in ways that love would never truly manifest.  Love does not bring about pain, regret, remorse.  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. Conversely, The simple definition of lust is having a self-absorbed desire for an object, person, or experience. When we are in lust, we place the object of our desire above all things in our lives. Lust is the root of all evil.  Further it is defined as To have an eager, passionate, and especially an inordinate or sinful desire, as for the gratification of the sexual appetite or of covetousness.(I particularly like the last definition).  Lust is the betrayer of love.  Lust renders love powerless.  There is no safety and securtiy in lust because the physical attributes that leads someone to lust is fleeting hence lust is also.  Lust is not patient, is not kind, boasts, is proud.  Lust is rude, is self-seeking, is easily angered, keeps record.  Lust does not delight in truth but rejoices in evil(hiding and hurting those involved).  Lust does not protect, always mistrusts, does not hope and never preseveres.  Lust always fails. Lust may be exciting for a time but  Give me love over lust any day and the knowledge to know the difference!