Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is
love. 1 John 4:8 NIV
Valentine’s
Day has some interesting history-- The origins of valentine day began as a pagan
fertility festival and was not associated with love until way after the end of
the 5th century. Written valentine greetings did not show up until
after the 1400s and ready-made cards were
introduced around the 1840s because they “were an easy way for people to
express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one’s feelings was
discouraged.” (not exactly a romantic reason!). This year, it’s estimated 1
billion cards will be exchanged and Americans will spend about $19.7 billion on the one-day ‘holiday’.
Since Valentine’s Day is typically geared towards couples, we now have
“single’s awareness day” to celebrate your un-attachment, and “Gal-entines day”
for ladies to hang out with their other single gal pals. All-inclusive commercialism at its finest ;)
No matter our relationship status, we want to feel special. We
all crave that “someone” in our lives.
We want someone who understands us, cherishes our strengths, accepts our
faults, celebrates our victories, and embraces us at our lows. We want to Love. We want to be Loved.
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 NIV)
In this verse, Paul is describing the ideal and perfect love.
But we’re human. We are not perfect. We fail. We disappoint. No matter how hard
we try, we will miss the mark
eventually.
But if we’re not perfect..... how can we achieve the perfect
love?
The answer: WE can’t—but God can because God IS Love.
The answer: WE can’t—but God can because God IS Love.
Using some math terminology,
the word “is” means “equal, one and the same”.
Because God is Love, that means God = Love. Since this ‘equation’ is true, then every
time we see the word “love” we can substitute “God” in its place. Let’s do a little word substitution....
God is patient, God
is kind. God does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. He does
not dishonor others, He’s not self-seeking, He is not easily
angered, He keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in
evil but rejoices with the truth. God always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres. God never fails.
That’s right..... God
never fails.
I love my husband, my kids, my family and
friends, my church, chocolate, crafting.... but they will always fall short of
perfection.
Rick is patient... most of the time. But he DOES fail... not often, but he does.
My kids are kind... most of the time. But they DO fail... not often, but they do.
Even chocolate does not past this test... it DOES keep a record of wrongs....they’re called “empty calories!”
Even chocolate does not past this test... it DOES keep a record of wrongs....they’re called “empty calories!”
...but God Never Fails.
We will never have the perfect
spouse/family/friendship/etc.....but we do have a perfect God. If we have a
relationship with Him, then we already have the perfect love- His love. Even
with all of our faults and flaws, He still loves us unconditionally: His love
never fails. He is the Perfect Valentine.
