Love Is In The Air!

John 15:13 "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."

This Valentine's morning, as my wife was asleep in bed, I wanted to surprise her by leaving early to go pick up heart shaped Donuts and a Starbucks Venti Caramel Macchito. I planned to then sneak back in with her treats and her two dozen roses, along with a Hallmark Valentine's Day Card; knowing when she awoke  that her expression would be one that would make the day even more delightful. I also left my three year old son his very own cartoon Valentines card, Kung Fu Panda box of chocolate and his favorite Starbucks Birthday Cake Pop. My intentions were to remind my family how much I think about and love them. Yes Love is in the air!

After completing my surprised tasks I left earlier to work anticipating to come home early for a Valentine's dinner outing. I decided to check my Twitter as I read a ReTweet by @RichWilkerson reminding me what this day, Valentines Day, is truly about. It read, "Saint Valentine was beaten, stoned, beheaded and buried on February 14 269 AD for helping persecuted Christians and marrying Christian couples."

That's True Love and that's what this day is about. Sure we can look at the book of Corinthians and measure love by what Paul tells us how love looks, or acts, but I believe John summed up that whole chapter in this one verse 15:13 "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends" because that is exactly what Paul was saying as well.

True love is selflessness, not looking for a returned reaction.  The biggest of gifts on one day of the year doesn't matter if an everyday expression isn't shown all year through. Love is expressed in showing the ones we love that they are important by giving up our pride and our rights, laying down our lives. Yes, Valentine's Day has become a day of gift giving, of flowers, candy, cards, and more. And in doing so it is an expression of thinking beyond yourself to the one you love. 

Let us remember True Love is expressed in the Savior of the World Jesus Christ.  He laid down his life for the creation He loves! In doing so he demonstrates how love is truly measured.  Because of the love that he had for you and me, He humbled himself to understand us and laid down his own life.  He took on the shame and guilt that we rightfully deserved because of sin and on the cross he bore.

He chose to demonstrate true love to us, so that we can demonstrate it to others.  Don't allow your love to be limited to a "Valentine", but live a True Selfless Love that all can see Christ in you. 

Love is in the air! Spread it to the World!