(I was recently asked to submit my devotional stories to our church's monthly newsletter. This is one I'm considering using for February's newsletter on Valentine's Day.)
Love Without Strings
Kids pout if they don’t get a valentine card back from someone. Wives get frustrated if their husbands forget to do something special on Valentines Day. People are willing to give love, but only if there’s something in it for them. The difference between our love and God's love? God loves us without expecting anything back in return. He loves us undeservingly. Any love we show to others is but a poor mirror reflection of the incredible love God pours out freely on us.
Though God knows every sin we’ve ever committed and ever will commit, He still sent His only Son down to die for us. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because He first loved us.” Jesus showed a true example of loving people while on earth. He loved lepers, sinners, tax collectors, poor and rich alike--He didn't decide to only love those who would love Him back. Even while hanging on the cross dying for our sins, He was loving us, taking our punishment for us. This Valentine's Day, how about showing love to someone whose not able to love you back? Maybe they’re physically disabled, maybe they’re too grumpy to love themselves, or maybe they’re not someone you would typically show love to. If we’re trying to be Christlike, why not love the unloveable without expecting something back in return? God certainly set the bar high by loving you and me.
Kayla Joy
