Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day in less than a week, I think it's time to reflect a little bit on love. Some people hate the day, others love it. It's quite the polarizing holiday in our society. If you have a significant other I'm sure you enjoy getting the occasional Whitman's Sampler or diamond earrings. Those who have seen love through a different lens though, that of a broken heart, take a negative look on the day.

First off, the namesake of the day, Saint Valentine, had nothing to do with greeting cards or Cupid. He was a Christian martyr, obviously a great man. I'm sure many people didn't know that. But, as time goes on, things change, and now Valentine's Day is seen as a big money maker for the greeting card industry (See Hallmark).

Props to Saint Valentine, we should all follow his example in unending love for God. But I want to talk about our love for each other, and analyze what the Bible says about it. Those without a love life at this time, stay with me. This passage is from Corinthians 13, and is often recited at Weddings. Read it slowly.

"3If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous, it is not inflated, 5it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick tempered, it does not brood over injury, 6it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8Love never fails...13So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

For those who are heartbroken, you probably want to click to another website. But wait one second. It was Jesus who said "Love thy neighbor" right? Pretty sure he knew what he was talking about. Let's look at it deeper. Read it again, then look below.

...Love is patient, love is kind...

It's hard to be patient isn't it? I struggle with patience every day. It is easy to get annoyed with your friends and family. But the Bible says if you love them, you understand them, and won't jump and bite their head off. We have all done it. So, take an extra couple seconds next time you feel yourself getting impatient. It's hard, but just do it and see what happens.

...It is not jealous, it is not pompous...

Think of the last time you got jealous of your boyfriend/girlfriend when they talking to someone of the opposite sex or even just hanging out with their own friends. Well, I'm sorry, but you aren't supposed to feel that envy. Human nature tells us that we should be the only ones in their life, but isn't that a bit pompous? So, why not try living out of the box, and appreciating their ability to have friends and get along with a lot of people. You might just happen to get along with them too.

...it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth...

We've all done it. Fight with someone for absolutely no reason. I've had conversations with people who say they actually like it sometimes, I guess it gives them something to do. Try going on a walk or sharing a funny story instead. Truth is important too. Half-truths kill relationships. Loving each other means you shouldn't be scared to tell the truth. Sometimes it is the hardest part, but it will cause much less worry in the end.

...it endures all things. Love never fails...

God will never stop loving us. We know this. The full passage above tells us just how good God's love is. What about loving one another? If things fall through with an individual, was that really love? Above the Bible says love never fails, but I'm sure some people have felt that love has failed them. God doesn't fail though. He knows what kind of love is right for each and every one of us, and quite honestly we don't know what we want for the majority of our lives. Listen to Him trust me.

So, instead of forcing something that isn't quite there, take a step back. Don't get me wrong, if you feel like it is right with that person of your dreams go on and go for it. Do what makes you happy. But, if it doesn't work out after some futile tries, trust in God. It will work out. It might not be what you wanted at that point in time, but you'll thank Him down the road.

This coming Sunday, you might be happy, and you might be sad, but if you can, try as hard as you can to keep this bible passage in the back of your mind. It can apply to both your love for others, and God's love for you.

As I write this, I'm single. I probably haven't followed those guidelines that well either. I know I'm not perfect. But by surrounding myself with friends and family who do care about me, Valentine's Day will turn from a day of focusing on loving just one person to a day of remembering all of those people who truly do care for me.

By following this path, you too might realize that love is more than a "Fax Me" on a conversation heart.