It’s that time of year again: lovebirds are chirping, couples are scrambling for gifts, stores are using the season as bait for anyone caught by the love fever, singles are being dramatically reminded of their relationship status, and churches suddenly remember it’s time to teach the youth about sex, dating, and marriage.
Valentine’s season has officially arrived.
I’m not talking about any of that today! If you’re expecting me to share 10 tips on how to get a woman this year… you’re on the wrong page, my dear.
Today, we’re talking about the greatest display of love: sacrifice.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
God loved us so much, unconditionally, because we definitely didn’t deserve it. He sacrificed His only Son so that, through the blood Jesus shed on the cross, we could be saved.
Can you sacrifice your child for your partner? For a friend? For your parents?
Humans are naturally selfish. It doesn’t even have to be this extreme; would you allow yourself to be ridiculed, beaten, or shamed just so your friend could be exalted?
John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Most of the people we hang out with, or even profess our love to, will drop us in a heartbeat when things get difficult.
Do you know what love is?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Take a look at your relationships; do they pass the love test? Are they really love, or just what feels good in the moment?
Here’s the truth: human love is selfish. People quit when they don’t get what they want; sex, attention, respect, warmth… you name it.
God’s love is totally different. Even when He gets nothing from us, He’s still there. He wants a relationship with us, no strings attached.
You think your partner is trustworthy? Maybe… but humans fail. The one who vowed to be with you “till death do you part” could cheat tomorrow or suddenly fall for someone else years into the marriage.
Bottom line: until you know God, you don’t know love.
God is love. You can’t truly love anyone else if you don’t first know Him.
So…today is “the day of love.”
I’m not saying you shouldn’t have fun.
By all means spoil your friends, your crush, your partner.
But don’t forget the ultimate Love:
- The Father who gave His Son for you; even when you didn’t acknowledge His existence
- The Son who laid His life down on the cross; even when He is God Himself
- The Spirit who guides you every single day; even when you ignore His voice
Before chasing fleeting, human love…I would love for us to pause and appreciate the eternal love we’ve already received.
The love that never fails, never quits and never gives up.
Stay Blessed x
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