And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. (1 John 4:16 NIV))
Lately, as I read the Old Testament, I ponder over all the instances in scripture where God prioritizes our remembrance of the things that He has done through celebration. Throughout the Bible, God institutes ceremonies, feasts, the sabbath day of rest and even the Lord’s supper to commemorate His faithfulness across time and generations.
In many ways, we celebrate differently now. The holidays we celebrate often don’t line up with the celebrations that were observed in Biblical times. Many of our holidays aren’t found in scripture. Take Valentine’s Day for instance. This holiday was tailor made for retailers, florists, and greeting card companies, as people find the perfect gift to act as a token of their affection. I have been guilty at times of carrying a cynical attitude towards not only Valentine’s Day, but other holidays as well. There have been many times in my life that holidays have felt more stressful than celebratory, and I have breathed many sighs of relief thankful that a holiday season was over.
As I read through scripture, however, I am struck by the fact that God is a God of joy and celebration. And while certain holidays bear no biblical significance, that doesn’t prohibit me from finding reasons to celebrate my faithful and loving God, every chance I can get.
This Valentine’s Day I am so thankful for love. Not just the love of my husband, the love of my friends, or the love of my family. I am thankful for love itself. God is love. This year I celebrate a God who taught me what real love was, when I was willing to settle for counterfeits. I celebrate a God who found me so worthy of love that He gave up His life for me. I celebrate a God who initiated a relationship with me that not even death could part. In the absence of this love, there would be nothing worth celebrating in my life, but in the presence of this unconditional love I can find a reason to celebrate even in the midst of darkness.
Whatever your relationship status is, God has made love available to all of us through relationship with Jesus. Let’s take a moment this Valentine’s Day to recognize how loved we are by Him and how this enables to love others more fully. Let’s expand our view of love and acknowledge all the ways His love is working in and through our lives.
Happy Valentine’s Day.
