God loved us, so we love each other.

Dear Worshipers,

Happy Valentine’s Day!

On the occasion of this holiday falling on a Tuesday, allow me to encourage you today in the expression of love. You probably are familiar with one or more of the various strains of legend that serve as the foundation of this special day. They revolve around a historical figure by the name of Valentine.

One tradition has it that in defiance to the Roman Emperor, this Christian man, a priest, continued to marry young men and women though marriage had been outlawed for the purpose of filling the ranks of the army. He was sentenced to death. Another vein says that when the Emperor tried to convert him to worship the Roman gods and escape his sentence that Valentine responded by trying to convert the Emperor to Christianity. This sealed his fate.

Another part of the legend says that while awaiting his death Valentine was befriended by the guards’ daughter, who happened to be blind. The guard asked Valentine to heal her, calling on his faith, and apparently God heard his plea and did just that. Before his death, Valentine wrote her a letter signed, “From Your Valentine”, a phrase which is still used today. There are a number of places to get more information, none authoritative but here is a fairly good one. http://www.beliefnet.com/story/10/story_1064_1.html http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/107/11.0.html

Depending on where you look you get a different slant. St. Valentine has almost been forgotten on this day that still bears his name, and little else of his life. Nonetheless, we are reminded in the origins of this holiday, traced to the date of his martyrdom, of his love for God, which was a response to the love of God for him.

So what significance does that have for us today? Just the implication of the Scripture to mark our lives with love, not just today but always. Though the entire chapter is worth considering on this special day, consider I John 4:19. “We love each other as a result of his loving us first.” God loved us, so we love each other.

Is that the impetus behind your expressions of love today? Do you love because he loved you first? If not, then take a few quiet moments right now and set your heart upon his love. Then love from there.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott