Do you remember celebrating Valentine’s Day as a kid? I do!
I remember my teacher having us make valentines for everyone in the class. I personally enjoyed this because it was a break from scholastic things. I am sure it was a writing assignment incorporated with art, but it felt as though it had a greater purpose. She instructed us to write something nice about everyone. We would then exchange the positive affirmations along with some heart candy. This was usually followed up by a small class party with cupcakes! It was a positive way to give and receive affirmations and strengthen relationships with classmates.
So why am I telling you this? I want to remind you that God loves you so much and His desire is for you to love people well. I believe that our relationship with God, through Jesus, describes the greatest love story ever!
Scripture describes this awesome love story in 1 John 4:10-11, “This is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” The love story continues in verses 15-17, “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so, we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us…” The challenge comes from v. 11, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” What would your home and this country be like if we made loving God and others our mission and priority!
Other scriptures include, 1 John 3: 18, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up…” Hebrew 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another all the more as you see the day approaching.”
My challenge is to love well! Love God, love people, and look for ways to encourage others and build them up. It feels good to receive this type of love and encouragement, and it feels good to give it!
God Bless you, Pastor Jon Johnson