Something Worth Celebrating!
As you know, today is Valentine’s Day. A holiday celebrating love sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it? Love, true love, is definitely something worth celebrating! After all, love is the greatest virtue, the greatest command and our deepest need. But this so-called holiday of love is such a strange potpourri of elements, including Christian martyrdom, Greek and Roman mythology, pagan traditions, modern romantic notions and aggressive marketing – all rolled into one! So, while I’m not a big fan of Valentine’s Day, I am a big fan of love, especially God’s love, which makes every other kind of love possible!
Now, while we’re thinking about love this time of year, I believe we can take advantage of the season by pointing people to true love, higher love, God’s overarching love! Jesus gave us His signature commandment, when He said, “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, as I have loved you … by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) We of Christ’s church are here to showcase God’s love – making His love visible, tangible, intelligible, real and accessible! How? By loving each other the way Christ has loved us! Isn’t it amazing?! By being loving, devoted spouses, family members, friends and brothers and sisters in Christ, people will see us as the Lord’s people, because they will see His love in us!
Getting back to Valentine’s Day … if you’re into the cards, candy hearts, chocolates, flowers, jewelry and such – be my guest. Use those things to say “I love you” to that special one, if you want to. But don’t forget to also look for ways to say “God loves you” to someone who needs to know it. You might help them discover God’s love in their own lives – and give them and us and God something worth celebrating!
“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love and God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)
Rich Howell
