So it’s Valentine’s day…Love is in the air. 💘 You may be celebrating the day with that special significant other ( aka your bae) or maybe like me you are spending the evening indoors with siblings, whatever it is you are doing I just wanted to share with you a love that is true, real and genuine. This sort of love can be extended into ALL our relationships, not only the lovey dovey ones. 💑 In our 21st century society we are constantly bombarded with adverts, movies and songs that display shallow love. However the Holy Book itself has something to say about love.I’m sure we are all aware of this very famous passage in 1st Corinthians 13, which describes what love is;

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Our society often confuses love and lust. Unlike lust, God’s kind of love is directed outwards towards others, not inward towards ourselves. It is utterly unselfish. This type of love is not natural. It is only possible if God helps us set aside our own desires and instincts, so we can give love while expecting nothing in return. Thus the closer we become to Christ, the more love we will be able to show others.

Now what is the greatest love? “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” John 15:13. Christ’s love towards us all was demonstrated not only in his words but also in his sacrificial death. We are to love one another as Jesus loved us, and he loved us enough to give his life for us. Woww!! even though he knew that we might not love him back. No, I’m not saying we are going to have to die for someone, but there are other ways to practice sacrificial love: listening, helping, encouraging, giving. On this day think of someone in particular who needs this kind of love today. Give ALL the love you can towards him/her.

Blaise Pascal said: There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man (& woman) which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus. Today in our society it is very common to see couples together, treating themselves and displaying their love for one another. For someone that is single like myself, it is possible to question how can I fill that “empty” vacuum in my heart. “I want that love, affection that others receive”, but the truth is that nobody on earth is capable of making you complete. No matter how many love letters, surprising gifts, warm hugs or sweet kisses one receives they are not able to fill that vacuum in your heart. Don’t get me wrong you can gain happiness in such a relationship but you may find yourself still longing for a greater love. This greater love that will fill the vacuum in your heart is that of Christ who died JUST FOR YOU! What you long for is the love that is never ending and unconditional.

Now ladies listen up💃 … whether you are single, dating, married, young or old there is a man who is passionately in love with you. That man is Jesus Christ! He loves you soooo much more in a second than your future husband or boyfriend can in your entire lifetime. His love is everlasting, no matter how many times you fall out, disagree or forget/neglect him ; He will always be around waiting for you to come rushing into his wide arms. Guys… it’s okay to love your ladies. But you should always remember that “You shall have no other gods before God” Deuteronomy 5:7. Don’t put the love you have for others, higher than the love you have for God. If you love God with all your heart, when the time is right you’ll find your perfect match. Till then focus on your loving father in heaven.

Whether you are alone on this Valentine’s day or you are being showered with love by your significant other, always remember that God shows his love towards you everyday through his Grace. Even though he cannot buy you flowers and chocolate, he bought YOU eternity with Him when he sent His Son to you. Check out No greater love by Smokie Norful (below)

Stay Blessed,

Dara x