Taking some liberties with the adage that the best way to have a friend is to be a friend - the same could be said that the way to be loved is to love others.
Valentine's Day is a celebration of romantic love - but don't forget the many other ways we can show love for our fellow man and woman.
A good place to start in talking about love is to go to the original love story, the Bible, and it's message of Love that we received through the gift of Jesus Christ.
I like the heading in my Bible that begins what is commonly known as the 'Love Chapter:'
Love Is Indispensable
And yet I will show you the most excellent way. (I Corinthians 12:31)Paul had some advice for his friends, the small Christian congregation in Corinth, and in these four verses spells out what love is, and how we might aspire to show it others.
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. (I Corinthians 13: 4 - 8)
As you read this list, maybe your first thought, like mine, is 'yes sir... if others treated me like this then I could love anybody and everybody.' Ah, not so fast, my friend and read it again.
That's a pretty high - standard in whatever relationship or situation we might find ourselves.
patient - In a line at the gas station, waiting to pay while a person two people in front of us is talking on their phone while writing a check? (Hmm, love is patient. This might be more difficult than I thought.)
kind - Waiting for your spouse to finish getting dressed (it was only going to take a few minutes, but not sure the definition she uses for 'few') for a trip to the store or an evening out. (Instead of tapping toes and fingers, it might a good time to ask how to help (tread carefully, no sarcasm zone!) or if you could pull the car around for them.
envy - Your co-worker gets the promotion you wanted... be happy for them, offer congratulations, and keep working.
not boastful or prideful - We know it feels much nicer to be praised without drawing attention to ourselves, so don't boast. (Agreed, this is much easier to say than to do.) Do your task diligently and be sure to thank God for the talent and skill that allows you to do it, and thank those around you who helped get things done.
no record of wrongs - No doubt, this is the most difficult on the list... when you forgive wipe the slate clean and move on.
love near fails - Day to day, we fail frequently in loving those close to us and in showing love to the many others we encounter. It's great news that the love we receive through Jesus is pure and unchanging and He loves us without fail, despite our failings.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (I Corinthians 13: 13)
The challenge this Valentine's is to be love and show love to those around you - it's the best Valentine you could ever give away - and will last longer than the cutest paper-cut heart.
While you are at it - remember that in the spirit of today - you are the valentine of Jesus who came to save you and me and all of us.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (I John 4: 8)
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