A New Look at Valentine's Day

Every year on February 14, we celebrate Valentine’s Day—a specific day when people across the world celebrate their love for one another.  When someone mentions the holiday, we typically think of hearts, flowers, and chocolate.  At least, that is what the stores want us to think of…  While hearts, chocolate, and flowers are nice, there is more to love than the world realizes.

Take a look at what the Bible has to say about love.

“Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.”  - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Wow!  There is a little more to the kind of love talked about in the Bible than just the chocolate kind of love that the world likes to celebrate on Valentine’s Day!  Look at the different ways that love is described in the passage.  It is patient, kind, trusting, not selfish, not angry, not proud.

The only person that I know of who can truly love like the Bible describes is Jesus.  As humans, we are sinners and are unable to love perfectly like Jesus did.  But the Bible says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”  (Philippians 4:13)  I challenge you to try to love like Jesus loves—with patience and kindness.  Hope and trust.  We are human, we will make mistakes, but by God’s grace we can be forgiven and He will give us the strength to love like Him each and every day.