Today is the day everyone focuses on love. Romantic love. Some love love. Others feel they should love it, even though it feels like a chore. Others are desperately trying to forget what day it is and ignore the fact they don’t have a partner for this holiday.
Whoever authored love and… why?
God did. God is love. John 4:8 tells us, “But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
The Bible, in the original languages it was written, has several different types of love. While Valentine’s Day is focused on romantic love, there are also: love for family, love for friends, and love for God.
God authored all these types of love. And each one is a gift.
When God created us, He created us for connection. We each have the desire built into us for friendship, companionship, to be known and to be loved. Mental health statistics will back up these ideas: people who have a good support system of friends and family tend to have fewer health problems. Those with chronic health problems report less pain when they have a schedule of social gatherings with close friends and family. Happily married people live longer than their single counterparts. We aren’t meant to live as islands.
Yet sometimes that seems easier than living with and loving others!
Some people are just not easy to love.
Jesus experienced that too. Jesus treated the woman at the well who “had many husbands” with respect. He loved on the woman caught in adultery. He was patient with Thomas, not writing him off. He encouraged Zaccheaus and made time for him. He guided and corrected the “sons of Thunder”, understanding their passion had a place. He even served Judas, the one He knew would be the great betrayer. He went to the cross for all of us, whether we would try to appreciate it or not, because He loved His Father and He loved us.
Jesus didn’t love only those who loved Him.
God didn’t wait for us to love Him first. Even before we realized our need for Him, when our sin separated us from Him, He authored a way back for us and was wooing us back to Him.
Amazing does not even begin to describe how He loves us.
Are you too humbled, as you contemplate how God loves us? I know it gives me pause when I consider those who try my patience a bit. I need to pause, step back and consider how I am loving others, and ask God to help me learn to love like He does.
I know He will help if I ask.
Will you join me in asking Him for just that?
Prayer: Dear Lord, I am awed and humbled by Your love. I thank You for authoring love, and I ask You to help me learn how to love like You. Help me to reflect You, so others may want to get to know You more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.