Love is _____.
How do you fill in the blank? Is love a feeling of butterflies in your stomach when you’re with someone special? Is love thinking there is sunshine even on a cloudy day? Is love a passionate attraction for another? What is love? Does it even exist? Nestled in the middle of the bleak, cold, and dreary month of February is Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is a day where millions of people celebrate this enigma we call love. But what is this strange emotion that we salute?
The truth is, what feels like butterflies, sunshine, and passion may not really be love. Certainly, it’s not love in its fullest form. Those feelings, while intense and even pleasant, could be nothing more than a really well camouflaged infatuation. The definition of love is a question that has been on the minds of humankind for centuries.
The Bible seeks to answer the question in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is described by words such as patient, kind, humble, faithful, and perseverant. Love doesn’t give in to anger, doesn’t keep score, and celebrates truth. Love stands firm when all else falters. Wow! What a contrast to what so many seem to celebrate with pink hearts, red roses, and dark chocolate.
The Bible doesn’t just define love for us, but shares the experience of many people who demonstrated and received this kind of love.
The greatest demonstration of real love is that of Jesus living, dying, and rising to save us.
Take the love challenge this month and explore God’s Word for more examples of this rare, rich, and real love. See how many you can find!
– Pastor Shawna Henry, Associate Pastor, Piedmont Park Seventh-day Adventist church
