Valentine’s Day is tomorrow—the traditional day to express love in a tangible way to those we hold dear. At least, that’s what the marketers tell us. A billion dollar industry, Valentine’s Day, instead, should emulate love in its truest form.
But what is love?
Love is difficult to define. We know it by feelings, by the actions of those around us, by the longevity of those who choose to be in our lives, and sometimes even by the actions we refuse to tolerate in others—tough love.
“…neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
Wow! Can you think of another love equal to this expression by the Apostle Paul?
To say Paul’s life was difficult as a follower of Jesus is an understatement. Read 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, for his accounts of shipwreck, being stoned, beaten, sleepless nights, hunger, and thirst. Yet he never whined about his hardships, nor did he blame them on God. Instead, he embraced the idea of hardships as necessary to a Christian’s life. James continued this theme in his ministry. In doing so, their lives embodied the idea that, in spite of our trials, God is still present.
So then, how can Paul, despite his willingness to endure hardships and concede God’s presence in them, take it a step farther and equate the totality of his life with God’s love? There’s only one logical answer.
It’s a love that never separates. How could love be defined any better? There’s not a human equation that even comes close.
No matter what unknown tomorrow brings, God’s love will be present. I don’t know about you, but that’s a tremendous comfort to me.
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