Knowing God's Love And Being More Loving

This morning I found myself reflecting on W.H. Auden's famous couplet "If equal affection cannot be, let the more loving one be me." I am in the unfortunate position of seeing many marriages, friendships and relationships break apart because of unequal affection. As I reflected on how to be the one loving more in the face of unrequited affection, I felt inspired to add two additional verses to Auden's famous stanza from The More Loving One. I trust you will be encouraged through these words to rest in the incredible depths of God's love for you, and to realize that knowing His great love is the only way to persevere in unrequited love (Ephesians 3:14-21).

                No Greater Love

 

How should we like it were the stars to burn

With a passion for us, we could not return?

If equal affection cannot be,

Let the more loving one be me.

 

If I think this only brings pain,

I’ve yet to learn love’s true gain.

For when I give without any pull,

It’s a sign my heart is already full.

This is the reason I bow my knee

And ask to know God’s love for me.

If your affection ever turns cold,

My love for you will never grow old.

 

W.H. Auden and W.W. Burleson (2014)