Love
On the morning programme at work today I was invited on to join a discussion about upcoming Valentine’s Day and the themes of love and marriage. It was such a blessing to take part in this discussion. The host, Simon, asked me, as a woman, how I like to be treated on Valentine’s Day.
I answered that receiving a card or flowers from Michael is lovely, but the most important thing is actually just the acknowledgment because that communicates attentiveness and caring.
A lot of people are put off by the commercialism of Valentine’s Day and view it as being plastic and insincere. In New Zealand when I grew up, it was not as celebrated as it seems to be today and so I never learned to invest too much into it, but still, I don’t choose to view it as plastic and commercial. To me the idea is lovely, that a special day is set aside to cherish and romance the person you love in a special way.
We had each chosen passages from the Bible which either challenged or inspired us about love and marriage. I chose the two passages that were read at our wedding, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and Ecclesiastes 4:12. I have used the Amplified Bible below because it adds to the beauty and insight of the text.
Love – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly.
Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].
God’s definition of love in this passage combines beautiful themes of giving, selflessness, meekness and gentleness as well as courtesy and graciousness. These verses are rich and each part deserves close attention. One aspect I would like to pick up on is that the theme of tenacity is very clear in God’s model of love. Phrases like “love endures long” and “love bears up under anything and everything” and “love never fails” build a picture of relationship that is unconditional and enduring. There is “stick-ability” in God’s definition. That creates real security in the loving relationships we have, especially with other Christians who share this understanding. That no matter what we are committed to each other.
Imagine if we lived that out. In a culture where relationships seem disposable and feelings of rejection and low self-esteem are so pervasive, it must bring such glory to God when we stay committed to our spouses and families and friends. Especially when those relationships are not easy, or even painful at times.
Threefold cord – Ecclesiastes 4:12
… A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
I love this verse. It is a picture of intimacy and strength when two people invite Jesus into their relationship, particularly in marriage. The cords obviously represent Christ and husband and wife. It reflects an intimacy between the spouses and together with God. It is also a Scripture of hope. That when Jesus is in our marriages, He enables the relationship to withstand whatever comes our way. God is like the super-glue.
If you do enjoy Valentine’s Day, may God inspire you with creative ways to show your love for the special person and people in your life. May God Himself also reveal to you how precious and loved you are to Him.
