Love. It’s the one thing every human being longs for: the force that moves mountains, bridges gaps, and heals even the deepest wounds. It’s easy to forget that real love isn’t found in a single day or a passing feeling. Real love is enduring. It’s steady. It’s the kind of love that doesn’t fade when things get tough, doesn’t give up when emotions waver, and doesn’t need a spotlight to thrive. It’s found in friendships, family, acts of kindness, quiet sacrifices, and, most importantly, in the heart of God Himself.
Valentine’s Day is a beautiful time to reflect on this love, not just the love that the world celebrates but the deeper, richer, more powerful love God calls us to live out. Because while flowers wilt and chocolates disappear, love rooted in faith, kindness, and selflessness is the kind of love that never fades. It’s the love that lasts. And that, my friend, is worth celebrating today and every day.
Do not get me wrong—this girl loves her some Valentines! I do enjoy the smell of the roses, eating the chocolates, and creating the most thoughtful little packages for those I love most. But I am challenging myself to take a step back and look at love through a different lens—something deeper and lasting.
You see, love isn’t just that fleeting feeling or a perfectly orchestrated date night. It’s a verb. It’s action. And when we root love in faith, it becomes something unshakable. This is the real heart behind this season.
Here’s something cool: Did you know that Saint Valentine wasn’t just a hopeless romantic, but instead, he was a rebel for love? In the third century, he secretly married Christian couples at a time when marriage was outlawed. Why? Because he believed love, especially the kind that reflects God’s heart, was worth fighting for.
Now, I’m not suggesting we should go out and break laws in the name of love (please don’t), but there’s something powerful about his story. Valentine understood that real love, the selfless, sacrificial kind, isn’t always convenient. It’s not about grand gestures for show. It’s about commitment, kindness, and putting others before ourselves.
If we’re going to talk about love, we have to talk about God. The Bible isn’t just a book of rules and history; it’s a love letter. God is constantly pursuing us, reminding us that we are chosen, cherished, and deeply loved. And the best part? His love isn’t dependent on how well we perform or how put-together we are. It’s relentless.
I love how Zephaniah 3:17 (KJV) puts it:” The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love, he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing. Did you catch that? God sings over you. Let’s pause for a moment and take that in. The Creator of the universe, the same God who spoke the stars into existence, delights in you so much that He bursts into song. If that doesn’t make your heart swell, I don’t know what will.
So, how do we apply this understanding of love to our daily lives? How do we shift our perspective from fleeting to eternal? It starts with intention.
We all know 1 Corinthians 13 (the classic love chapter), but let’s explore some unexpected verses that speak of love in fresh ways:
True love, especially God’s love, is unstoppable, no matter what storms life brings.
Romans 12:10 (KJV): “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” A reminder that love isn’t just about feelings; it’s about action and putting others first.
Perhaps this week, take some time to pray over the people in your life, asking God to show them His love in unexpected ways. Use this time to reflect on God’s love for you and how you can grow in showing love to others. Ask yourself:
How can I be more patient, kind, and forgiving?
Who in my life needs to experience God’s love through me?
What steps can I take to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind this year?
Because at the end of the day, love isn’t measured by what we receive it’s measured by what we give. No matter how you celebrate Valentine’s Day, whether through acts of service, time with loved ones, or simply spending quiet moments with God, remember this: You are eternally loved. Now go spread some heart out there!
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible: King James Version. 2017. Cambridge University Press. (Original work published 1769), Public Domain.