This week we celebrate Valentine’s Day. It is a day that honors romantic love. Over 200 million roses will be given. Over 180 million cards will be exchanged. And more than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will gifted to that special someone. In all, more than $13 billion (yes, that is with a “b”) will be spent on Valentine’s Day gifts, meals, and more. That sounds like a whole lotta love!
A day set aside to honor love sounds like a great thing, but love is far bigger than romance. The Bible says, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Note that the Bible never says that love is God, in other words, that our understanding of love defines God. To find the definition of love, we need to look to love’s ultimate source – God.
We see God’s love in many ways. We see it in the splendor and beauty of creation that was not only for God’s pleasure but for our delight, as well. We see it in His provision for our needs. We see it in His revelation of Himself and His will to us. We see it ultimately in the sending of His Son to die on the cross to pay the price for our sins. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Our love for one another is an imperfect reflection of God’s great love for us. We speak words of love. We act in loving ways to each other. We don’t, however, do this perfectly. Our selfishness so often gets in the way, but this doesn’t stop most people from trying. We are born with a desire to be loved and with the capacity to love. It is a gift from our loving Creator.
For those of you with sweethearts, enjoy your Valentine’s Day. Exchange your cards, candy, flowers and kisses. When you do so, give thanks to the Lord for His perfect gift of love for you.
For those of you who don’t have a sweetheart for whatever reason, you can still be grateful that there is a God who loves you. Every flower that blooms is God’s bouquet for you. Every beautiful sunset is God’s handmade card for you. Every sweet thing in life is a reminder of His undying love. And if you just have to participate in the festivities, wait until the day after and get everything half price!
Be Transformed 