{{item.title | uppercase}}

“We love because He first loved us.”
1 John 4:19 (NASV)

Whenever February rolls around, I immediately am drawn to hearts and Valentines. I am reminded of a month filled with flowers, chocolate, and candy hearts imprinted with messages.

Although we might find ourselves surrounded by a culture focused on romance and daydreams, it is important to remember the author of love is God.

Some red roses or a Valentine note from my husband always came my way on February 14 each year. There were special moments and reminders of love shared between us that always provided me with a smile. I miss those moments. Yet remembering that February 5th date when my Valentine of 43 years went to Heaven is a reminder that our plans are not always God’s plans.

I have heard it said that our love for our husbands does not leave but instead changes as we grieve.

We will always long for relationships filled with love and acceptance. Often, we want to embrace the fairy tale romances found in the movies. Culture promotes love and romance and disappointment can arrive if we do not feel a romantic connection with another person. So often, we mistakenly decide that romantic love is what we need to be complete. We miss the knowledge that we are valuable to another person. We long for a reminder that we matter. God is there ready to fill that gap and meets our need wherever we are in our journey through loss. Only He can make us complete. Romance and finding a soul mate cannot replace the emptiness that only the Lord can fill.

Unselfish agape love is radical love.

This love reflects the character of God. It is the fruit of true surrender to Jesus. Radical love isn’t as much about who loves you, as it is about letting Jesus love through you where you are.

1 Corinthians 13 is often referred to as the Love Chapter.

“Without love we are nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast. Love is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way. Love is not irritable or resentful. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, and believes all things. Love hopes all things and endures all things. Love never ends.”
1 Cor 13:3-8 (NASV)

This chapter in Scripture teaches me that patient love waits for the right time to act, and kind love acts when the time is right. Love is incompatible with proud boasting because Godly love is humble. Love is profoundly “other” centered. Not only is love quick to forgive but also to forget. We see that Love does not look for faults in others but finds joy in the truth. Love will endure because it is eternal.

Radical love is the fruit of our true surrender to Jesus.

Why not use this Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to share God’s love with someone in your life? We are made for community. By mailing a card, sharing your time, or using your talents, you focus on the needs of others and give of yourself.

You can make a difference by sharing the radical love of God with someone else and find yourself changed in the process.

Heavenly Father, we all fail to love in many ways. Thankfully, in Your great love, You sent Jesus so that we can be forgiven and empowered to grow in our love for You. The world’s definition of love is not always as You define it. Allow us to see Jesus in the daily choices of life and allow the Bible’s truth to clarify and communicate how we should live and how we can love others each day. Bless our efforts and strengthen our faith as we reach out to give of ourselves. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.