Do You Choose Love?

Today is Valentine’s day AND Ash Wednesday. Combining a day widely known for love and a day widely known for self-reflection and prayer is where I'm pulling my inspiration from today. Oh, and that my brother is getting married this weekend so another heavy dose of love!

Love is defined as an intense feeling of deep affection. Everyone has experienced love at one point or another. A love for your parents, your husband, your children, a pet, a friend, bacon (there is no way I am alone in this one). God has made us loving creatures. Remember, we are created in His image. God does not just love, God is love.

Do you choose love?

Because God is love, he gave his only son for the forgiveness of our sins (John 3:16). Let me repeat that. God gave His son for us. Because of His love for us and His yearning to have us walk beside Him. And Jesus willingly gave His life for us, too. Jesus’ time on earth was perfect. He was without sin. Every step in Jesus’ life was done for the love of God and for the glorious conclusion He would have for us. God wants this to be the love we feel for others. That we would love others so purely and fully that we would give our lives for others.

Do you choose love?

Another example of love appears in Genesis 22. God tested Abraham’s love for Him by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Without hesitation, Abraham and his son set out on a three-day journey. Imagine how Abraham felt. Walking for three days with the ultimate goal of sacrificing your child in arguably an act of obedience unlike any others in the bible. A child who you and your wife waited for and prayed for. A grown child who came to you late in life and answered your hopes and dreams. Of course, in the end, an angel of the Lord stopped him and congratulated him in his love for God. But wow, the love that Abraham had was undeniable.

Do you choose love?

God is love. God created love. God created us to love. Instead of love being a feeling, think of love as something you choose to do. Something you act upon. When you bring a meal to a friend who is sick, that is love. When you watch a friend’s newborn baby so they can take a nap or shower, that is love. When you surprise your spouse at work with a triple grande non-fat decaf iced latte, that is love. Choose love, be love. Show love.

Today is Valentine's day. Whether you are married, single, dating or too young to care about the gushy stuff (my daughter will likely read this), choose love. "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:7

Happy Valentine's day and happy Ash Wednesday!

Until Next Time,

Neko