This time of year really gets you thinking about what love is.
There are many variations – a mother’s love, a friend’s love, the list could go on. But this still doesn’t answer what love is. The media portrays Valentines day as romantic, and it can be. But what is love? Does it mean that because on this day, if I may not have someone; I am lacking love? Is it because my friends and colleagues – even my mum and dad – celebrate this day. If I don’t, am I unloved?
It can’t be. A lot of the love we see is actually lust.
A quick Google search of the word ‘lust’ says: ‘An overwhelming desire or craving’. The same search for ‘love’ says: ‘a strong feeling of affection’. To me the description of either isn’t that different which is why I think people find they can’t tell the difference between the two. Surely an overwhelming desire can also be described as a strong feeling of affection? So what is love?
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 gave me the clearest description. It says: “Love never gives up; Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end” (The Msg).
I do not see here, that if you are alone on Valentine’s Day you are unloved or if you don’t have a boyfriend you are worthless!
This verse is not just a way for us to love others, but a way for us to love ourselves, too! Yes, we should put others first – but if you can’t bear to love yourself, how can you practically love anyone else? First we must understand the love God has for us and then once we do, we can love others in the right way.
It is easy to get swept up in the romance of Valentine’s Day, but this can be a day to spend with friends, mothers, fathers, sisters or even brothers. You don’t need to be alone! You could spend time at Gods feet telling him what you would like in your future husband. And even if you do have a date, consider the above before you commit. Everyone deserves love as it is described in 1 Corinthians 13.
This scripture is actually called The Greatest Gift. So yes, Valentine’s Day should be a celebration filled with gifts. We should rejoice that Jesus paved the way for love to come into our lives through his sacrifice, and also through our families and friends. We are never alone, and love is always around us. Let’s never forget that, because love is the greatest gift. And although it is free, it highly valued!
