So, this is love…Happy Valentine’s Day

I’m convinced that this February, in a couple of weeks, some of you will be found with sugarplums dancing in your head, chased by the famed Cupid—a small dimpled faced chubby winged angel–skirting about the globe this Valentine’s Day, with a bow and arrow piercing the hearts of millions of people, like yourself with love.  But being more realistic, you will likely be demonstrating your love for someone special to you by sharing a bouquet of flowers, some jewelry, or some other expensive gift. The expression of true LOVE , we are told, is often demonstrated by a gift given to someone that we care dearly about. An annual celebrated day that has always been sought after by men and women alike, which is a great and wonderful thing. However, contrary to popular opinion, true love can never be purchased through money, secured through power, nor can it rightfully be obtained through emotional contentment.

You may be familiar with Tina Turner’s hit single What’s Love Got To Do With It? The lyrics continue—it’s just a second hand emotion . . . but is that true? Is love really just a second hand emotion? Many people believe so. When LOVE is based on emotions alone, depending on the circumstances (constantly changing as the weather), it usually proves to be very destructive to the parties involved. How is that possible – that Love can vacillate so frequently? Can it be possible, that when we allow ourselves to believe that true LOVE is governed by—the second hand emotion ideology. I think so!

Now that that has been said, “How can genuine LOVE best be defined?” Let’s listen to the profound words of Saint Paul written to the church in Corinth, “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, embraces all things. Love never ends . . . And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, 13 (New Revised Standard Version)

What is the difference between the two types of LOVE described above? The first love is, emotional, motivated by—self interest—“How I feel and what I deserve” while the second love is, biblical and sound, based on—God’s interest—“What the other person needs, not what that person actually deserves.” LOVE that is based on second hand emotions—usually are very destructive and short lived, while LOVE supported and followed along biblical precepts—studies show are more satisfying, healthier and enduring.

Although the above scripture I Corinthians 13, in its purest form relates to God’s love working through the Christian believer, I believe it’s universal in scope. That is to say, when Love, according to the scripture is taken at face value between a husband, wife, family, or friend (whether Christian or Non-Christian) each individual, especially within the marriage relationship reaps the bountiful benefits of true enduring LOVE. Remember Saint Paul words, “Love is patient, love is kind, love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude . . . “That’s God’s LOVE” . . .that’s the kind of love that we should illustrate, not only on Valentine’s Day, but each and every day throughout the year.

Happy Valentine’s Day