The Definition of Love is Time!
“I got shoes; you got shoes; all God’s chillum got shoes
When we get to heaven, gonna put on our shoes,
And shout all over God’s heav’n!”
I believe it was Dr. Miles Mark Fisher who suggested that the lyrics to the “Negro” spiritual above were likely crafted by a slave whose master would not even provide his slaves with shoes. He often heard the master talking about heaven. The slave was convinced he was going to heaven but wondered, “How can Massa and I be going to the same heaven? Can’t be two heavens!” Then one day, while sweating in the field and singing his song, he suddenly got the answer to his conundrum! Casting an eye toward the big house, he added:
“Heav’n! Heav’n!”
“Everybody talking ’bout heaven ain’t going there!
The ingenuity of that slave in creating those timeless lyrics allows me to segue to today’s topic: Yesterday was Valentine’s Day and there was a lot of love talk, but Everybody talkin’ ’bout love ain’t showin’ it, because…
The Definition of Love is Time!
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).
Love without a time investment is not love! You cannot love your children without investing time in their growth, development, learning, discipline, etc. Parents must spend time with their children. You cannot cultivate a relationship with anyone without devoting time to it. Wives and husbands need the investment of quality time together if they are going to stay together. My wife’s love language is “Quality time.” Yes, that is her love language! 
And love must never be extended to things—only to people! God created things by saying, “Let there be!” And things instantly sprang forth into existence. In making man, God stooped down, scooped up clay, and took His time, molding, designing, and shaping mankind into His image. Then He took more time and blew His breath, His Ruach, into man’s nostrils!
Later, to redeem us back to Himself after the fall, He face-timed us through His Son, Jesus, the incarnate God. He left His royal throne and His royal robes in heaven and came down to dwell with us face-to-face, spending quality time, more than 30 years, as Immanuel, God with us! He experienced the same temptations, and encountered verbal and physical abuse, even to the point of being spat upon, beaten, and murdered! Of course, we know that’s not how the story ends!
Right now, as our intercessor in heaven, He continues investing time in us, giving us time to requite His love by building a relationship with Him, spending time with Him daily, and investing time in others to help guide them away from the devil’s agenda. Love is defined T I M E! Everybody talkin’ about love ain’t taking the time to show real love to those they say they love! (I hope this is not too elementary for you!)
Oh, I would like to take a little more time with this, but my wife is calling. Gotta go spend some quality time with her! –