Valentine’s Day – To Hate or Partake?

Ahh…Valentine’s Day! The day when love is in the air and retailers make plenty of money from the sale of flowers, candy, cards, and jewelry.

Legend has it (at least according to the History channel) that this day back in 278 A.D. a holy priest in Rome by the name of Valentine was executed. In that time, Emperor Claudius II wanted an all bachelor army, so he banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.

BUT, as you may know, it is not good for your health to defy the emperor! St. Valentine was beaten and beheaded. Before his death, he left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine."   Romantic, huh?

   

As I reviewed my friend’s facebook statuses this morning, I noticed a clear line between V-day haters and partakers. You can take a guess about which status goes in which category:

•  Haappy Vday FB! Its my most favoritist holiday (after christmas of course). Love is great (bc God is love)? Tell someone you luv em 2day. And do something sweet 4em while ur at it. :)
• So blessed to be in love....
• Valentine's Day is not for love. You should tell your significant other everyday how much they mean to you. Valentine's Day is actually a day to remind all the single people that you are NOT in love. And a day to remind you of your ex even though you don't want to think about it. Worst. "Holiday." Ever.
• Shout out to those that have given up on love or don't feel loved. God is love and He would never give up on you. Seek the Lord first. Hang in there! I love you!

So, what do we make of this joyous, fun-filled, industry dictated, love mandated holiday that is full of perhaps unrealistic expectations?!

 

I say we go back to the definition of LOVE found in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a:

"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."

Would your friends and coworkers describe you as patient, kind, hopeful, trusting, and never failing or would they describe you as proud, angry, self-seeking, etc? 

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:35

We are recognized as God's people by our LOVE for one another!! So weather or not you have a hot date tonight, don't miss your opportunity to show LOVE to others as Christ showed to us :)