Real Love

Happy Valentine’s Day! I want you to know that you are deeply loved. So much that you were worth dying for.

I was reading some statistics about Valentine’s Day and one of them stated that 220,000 is the average number of wedding proposals on Valentine’s Day each year. That is a lot of formal expression of intention which is the definition of resolved. It also means to make up one’s mind and follow a course of action.

In John 11:7-16 Jesus did just that. He was called to go heal Lazarus which would require him to return to Judea where they had tried to stone him. He was asked by one of his disciples why he would go back and Jesus told them plainly that Lazarus had died, He was returning to wake him and then serve His purpose. Jesus had resolved to follow the course of action determined for Him from the beginning of time, to save the world.

There are times in life that we resolve to finish something that may be taking longer than expected or that was harder than we anticipated. Many times our resolve is challenged and we want to give up, but the reminder of our commitment keeps us going. The promise of the results keeps the hope alive.

Imagine what Jesus must have been thinking when He knew that He was heading towards a horrible death on a cross, yet He was determined to finish what God had planned. The bible says that for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning it’s shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2) He knew the reward that was waiting at the finish line and He kept going. That was the ultimate gift of love.

On a holiday that is all about relationships it was nice to have a reminder that the first and most important relationship we will ever be in is with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the definition of love. He made the ultimate sacrifice for love and He chooses to love us fully and completely just as we are.

Isn’t that what we want? To be loved for just being ourselves. Not for what we have or what we can do for people, but simply just for being us. Jesus loves us that way and said,” As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”

No matter what situation you may find yourself in at this very moment, I know one thing for certain, You are chosen by God! He never gave up on His way to the cross to save you and He will never give up on you now. That’s real commitment.

Because relationship involves two people we also get to step up to the plate and show our resolve. The apostle Paul gave a perfect description for how he did that and it’s found in 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” The Passion Translations says, “For while I was with you I was determined to be consumed with one topic—Jesus, the crucified Messiah.” Nothing but Jesus!

Just saying his name makes you feel loved. Knowing that you can talk to Him about anything and everything reminds you that you are accepted and cared for. Spending time with Him always brings hope and promise.

One of my favorite passages is found in Philippians 3: 7-12

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

That’s what a relationship with Christ is all about. To intimately know each other and to participate in life together, for better or worse, in sickness and in health. Jesus is with us every step of the way. Accept His proposal and begin a life filled with passion and adventure. Real love awaits you.

My Prayer

Father, I am so touched at the lengths You have gone to win my heart. Your love has no bounds and I am forever changed by our relationship. I pray that I will know You more. I can’t get enough of You and I’m so blessed that this love will continue until the end of time. Thank you for Your sacrifice for me. I am forever Yours and You are mine. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”