Being in Love for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is near, and I hope you are in love, and not just because you are surrounded by hearts, candy, and flowers. My prayer for this world is to be in love. Real love.  Not just romantic love that pours itself out of cute little Valentine cards or chick flicks, though I do confess that romance has its place. I am talking about love as a principle.

What is Love?

This question has been asked throughout the centuries and has been answered by philosophers, scholars, poets, and TV producers. Parents have been asked this question by their kids, and I believe it will soon be on my doorstep with my kids’ adolescent years ahead. My answer is found in scripture, in the Word of God. After all, God is love (1 John 4:8).

A close reading of “The Love Chapter” 1 Corinthians 13 shows us that love is more than actions.  And it’s more than celebrating Valentine’s Day.  It is a principle, a way of being. It’s up to each of us to decide how committed to that principle we want to be. Being in love, upholding that principle, shows in our actions. It starts within and works its way out into the world in how we respond, in our outlook, in the ability to forgive wrongs.

Being Out of Love

There are times when we find ourselves out of love.  This often happens when we are busy and are so caught in self-preservation that we forget about what we have to be grateful for.  It’s not easy to love when your feelings are hurt, if someone is attacking you, if you feel that you are in the right (which is usually the case, isn’t it?) and the other person is stubbornly wrong. It’s not easy to love when your child has publicly humiliated you, or when your partner has betrayed your trust, or when your friend is being critical and accusatory. Even though we were designed in the image of God, we have all strayed. We have all fallen short. Loving our enemies under duress is not our first instinct. Self-preservation is.

Love is Divine

As fallen as we are, God sees great value in us, every single one of us, from infant to elderly. Love is a divine quality. Divine love goes above and beyond live and let live. Love is entrenched in interdependence and deeply understanding that we are all connected, brothers and sisters. We are all one.

Wishing You Love for Valentine’s Day

While this holiday might focus on Cupid (Roman myth), St. Valentine (Roman martyr), sensual indulgence, or romantic infatuation, I invite you to dig deeper. Be in love, and not just for a day, but living a divine principle. It is not from within us. It is from above. Let us be in love and live in love, reconciled with God who seeks to reconcile all.

I hope you will have the most loving Valentine’s Day you have ever had.  Let us know how you are using Valentine’s Day inspiration to fall deeper in love with your kids, with your partner, with humanity, and with God. Leave a comment below and share this with someone you care about.