Valentines Day seems to be a holiday that people either love or hate. And while I can understand that we don't need a day to celebrate something we should be doing everyday, what an opportunity we have as Christians to show the world a different kind of love. The unconditional, unfailing love of Christ.
I love, love. I love showing my people that I love them. I love any reason or opportunity to show someone I care. I love to celebrate love. I have a shelf in our china cabinet full of pictures of our parents and grandparents together. I love the display of a bunch of imperfect people, committed to one another despite their hardships and imperfections.
God loved us so deeply that He sent His only son to die on the cross for us, while we were still sinners. He loves us every minute of every day despite all of our mistakes and imperfections. What an opportunity we have to share unconditional love with those around us and shine the light of Jesus. To truly love someone by serving them and expecting nothing in return. And when we serve others with a heart like Jesus, it changes us.
I have a hard time feeling sorry for myself and my situations, when my focus is on Jesus and loving His people well. When my goal is to bring glory to God and my heart is full of gratitude, I can't help but feel the joy of the Lord.
Instead of focusing on yourself this Valentines Day, focus on the people that God has placed in your path and the ways you can make them feel loved. It doesn't have to be anything big, just be intentional. Maybe find a way your family can work together to bless someone else. On a day that was made to showcase love, let's shine a light on the One who is love Himself.
7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. {1 John 4: 7-12}
