“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
This week in America is a huge consumerism trap. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think there’s anything necessarily wrong with Valentine’s Day. I think it’s nice to set aside a time to recognize our love for our spouse or special someone, and show them our appreciation. But it has become, to many, a ball and chain.
For years, I was single while everyone around me was married. Valentine’s Day was a lonely time for me, a reminder that I was still single. It made me feel like maybe I’d missed the bus and somehow this would be my lot in life. Through the years I learned to handle it better and focus on the love of God; but yeah, it was still hard sometimes. For those living in America, I know there are reminders everywhere - supermarkets, television, radio stations, restaurants, and more are marketing this love holiday. There is pressure to go on a date, buy a gift, fall in love, and just generally be happy.
I want to be very clear: Valentine’s Day never satisfied anyone. We may have a nice time, but at the end of the day we are still people who can only be satisfied by the Love of God.
We were not created to “complete” another person, or be completed by someone else aside from the Lord.
Hardwired into the very fabric of our being, in our DNA, is a desire for love, and a longing to be loved. Yet that is so often misplaced and confused. Unless we are in a right relationship with God, we will never experience love the way it is intended to be. God designed marriage and He delights when we are in love. He is glorified through our closest human relationships. But if you are single, you are not incomplete. You are fully loved. If you are in a difficult marriage, you are equally loved and valued. The widow, the loner, the happily married person - only One can satisfy our longing. Only one Love can fill our hearts to overflowing.
Do you know that you are the joy of God’s heart? Do you know why He went to the cross? It was for the joy that He would experience later - being with you forever. Jesus didn’t buy you flowers or chocolates, He bought your freedom eternally with His precious blood. He thought you were to die for.
This week, please do show love to those closest to you, appreciate them and let them know you care. But never let that be the most important thing. Never let your human relationships define your worth, and never forget how very much God loves you.