Be Love

By: Jenifer Metzger

While I enjoy the sweet treats and cute decorations, I've never been a big fan of Valentine's Day as far as my marriage is concerned. My husband and I firmly believe that we should show our love to our spouse 365 days a year, not just 1. We should do those little acts of love regularly, not just when the calendar tells us to. Yet on the other hand, it is nice to have that day to do extra things and go all out.

Whether you are one of those who goes all out red and hearts and lovey-dovey for the day or one who dismisses the day completely, this is for you.

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast,

it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with

the truth. It always protects, always trusts,

always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails...

I Corinthians 13:4-8

The Bible tells us in I John 4 that God is love. So let's do this again a little differently.

Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind. He does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. He is not rude, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered, He keeps no record of wrongs. Jesus does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Jesus never fails...

Oh that describes Jesus perfectly! Jesus is all of those things. He is love. Well, we are supposed to be Christ-like. Correct? That is literally the definition of Christian: Christ-like. So let's try this yet again.

Jenifer is patient, Jenifer is kind. She does not envy, she does not boast, she is not proud. She is not rude, she is not self-seeking, she is not easily angered, she keeps no record of wrongs. Jenifer does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Jenifer always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Jenifer never fails...

Hmmm....

If I were honest with you, I would say that is not true. I am not always patient and kind. I am, at times, easily angered. And yes, I have been known to keep record of my husband's wrong doings. I do fail.

The Bible tells us what love is and it tells us that God is love. It also tells us that we are to be like God. Take out the word love and add your name. Does it match up perfectly? I would imagine it doesn't.

Friends, we need to commit to our spouse, and even to our families and friends, to strive to be like God and to be love. I want to encourage you this Valentine's Day, and all the days that follow, let's be love. 

Discussion:
1. Where do you think you fall short the most? Where do you think you line up the best?
2. Memorize I Corinthians 13 and practice putting your name in there and striving to make it true.