Love That Won’t Disappoint
Valentine’s Day was awesome.
You know, back in the second grade when you had the parties at the end of the school day. When you passed out the fun Looney Tunes Valentines to all your classmates. When you got to consume loads of sugar.
You remember those Valentine’s Days? They were great!
And then you get older. And Valentine’s Day changes. And it becomes more complex. They can still be great, but they certainly become different.
If you’re single on Valentine’s Day, you get tired of hearing about everyone else’s plans. Perhaps you put on a brave face and act like it doesn’t bother you, but deep down, it stings. Deep down, you wish you had plans as well.
If you’re dating or married, there’s pressure to make sure this day is special. There’s pressure to live up to some sort of standard. You don’t want to let your significant other down.
Social media has added another layer to this. You see the Facebook and Instagram posts of friends and acquaintances of all these “perfect” Valentine’s Days.
When it comes to Valentine’s Day, it’s easy to stress out. It’s easy to covet. It’s easy to be envious of other relationships. At the end of it all, it can even feel like a letdown.
And here is where the devil often likes to strike.
This is often the time the devil will tempt you to turn to a convenient lover. A lover that he says won’t let you down. This lover is there for you when nobody else wanted to spend Valentine’s Day with you. This lover is there for you when your significant other lets you down. This is, of course, how the devil makes this lover look. This lover, of course, is pornography. But despite how tempting the devil makes this lover look, all it ever does is let you down. All it does is bring guilt and shame.
As Valentine’s Day comes and goes, I encourage you to assess the situation that you’re in. The concept of love and relationships will be everywhere. It will be on television, social media, at the store, and many other places.
Assess your relationship status.
If you’re single. rejoice! Celebrate the blessing that is and recognize all the blessings in life that come from that.
If you’re dating, rejoice! Celebrate the relationship you have as you learn what you want in a future spouse. Know that Valentine’s Day will be unique to you.
If you’re married, rejoice! Celebrate the love that your spouse gives and see all the strengths your spouse brings to your relationship.
Whether you are single, dating, or married, you are able to rejoice and recognize all the blessings in life.
You are able to do that because of Christ. You are able to do that because your most important status is secure. You are a redeemed child of God!
In (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins . . . (Ephesians 1:7).
Jesus went to the cross, gave his life, shed his blood . . . for you. Jesus went to the cross to wash away your sins. Jesus went to the cross to redeem you, and make you his child. Jesus accomplished that, and that will never change.
It is finished (John 19:30).
Because you are a child of God, you have a purpose. God has a plan for you. And no matter what your earthly situation is, you get the opportunity to thank and worship your God for all that he has done for you.
Brothers and sisters, I pray that you are able to assess your earthly relationship and identify where the devil may look to tempt you.
But I pray that you never lose sight of your status in Christ. The love that Christ has for you is incomparable to any earthly love.
You are forgiven. You are a redeemed child of God. You are loved by God.
And God’s love will never let you down.
Author: Daniel Koch serves as the Staff Minister of youth and family ministry at Grace Lutheran Church in Crivitz, WI.
