While not everyone finds Valentine’s Day a very fond or comfortable day because they might not have a “sweetheart” with whom to share it, if we look at it as a day when God’s love is celebrated, the perspective changes. So, whether you’re attached or unattached, happy or sad in love, be encouraged with the love of God in these words. Read them through slowly, like a love letter. Read the passage twice, and if any word or phrase jumps out at you, take that to God in prayer as your love-relationship with him grows deeper today.
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.” (Jesus, John 15.9-17, NLT)
