Faith along the way

Valentine’s Day is upon us. It is a day we set aside to express and celebrate love. It is a day to celebrate romantic love, friendship and admiration. People send messages of love in many ways: dinners, gifts, flowers, candy or cards…just to name a few. A lot of planning and thought is often put into this one day.

When I think about love and how it is expressed, I hope we are showing love and admiration to those around us on a regular basis, not just this one day. It is easy to get into the daily routine of our busy lives and often take those we love for granted. Many of us have loved ones no longer with us and wish for just one more moment with them to tell them we love them, one more moment to hug them. Redeem the time now…spend time with loved ones while you can.

When I think about love, I think about the ultimate gift of love…God’s love for us expressed through the precious gift of salvation found only through the shed blood of His Son, Jesus. God’s redeeming love…what a precious gift. Most of us can quote John 3:16 which tells us “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (NKJV). God’s love is an amazing love, a sacrificial love, an everlasting love, a redeeming love, a perfect love, the ultimate expression of love not based on anything we have done but based on the fact that He loves us and wants a relationship with us. Wow, now that is love!

There are many scriptures that speak of love, many scriptures that show us how God loves us, and scriptures that show us how to express love to others. Ephesians 5:1-2 advises us to walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. Love requires sacrifice. Love is not selfish. Jesus is our example in loving others. We are to live a life filled with love, following His example…every day. To walk means a way of life, a course, a habit. We are to follow His example; He is to be our role model in word and deed, and it will require His help and His strength. I encourage you to look up scriptures regarding love in your personal devotion time. It will be time well spent.

In closing, I hope you enjoy your Valentine’s Day and get to spend time with those you love, but most importantly, I pray you draw closer each day to the One Who loves you most, the One who gave His life for you, the One Who first loved us…Jesus.

God’s blessings to you,

Jackie