While I may not put much stock in Valentine's Day, I do put much value in being loved. Don't you feel it in your chest, in that space above your heart? The desire to be loved? Not just respected or admired (although these things are of the utmost importance, too), but to be loved?
I'm not just talking about romantic love. Love comes in many forms - from parents, friends, girlfriends, boyfriends, children, and spouses. When you feel someone love you with pure, unapologetic abandon - this is a beautiful thing that answers a need in your soul.
There's a reason love makes us feel so good. Genesis 2:18 tells us that God made Eve for Adam because it "wasn't good for man to be alone." Jesus commanded us in John 15:12 that we are to "love one another" as He loved us. And, my goodness, let's not forget I John 4:8: "God is love." Simple - you feel love, you feel God Himself.
The love humankind has for each other is God come down to dwell with us, in us. My dear grandmother, who will be 97 this month, lives the most authentic relationship with Jesus I have ever seen or may ever see in my life. A few years ago she dreamed she was in heaven. While there in her dream she said, "I felt love flowing through my veins."
Love, my friends, is the language of heaven.
And God speaks this language to us now every time our heart thumps with emotion at those He has sweetly placed in our lives. This is something to be treasured. But if we think this serves as our fill of love we are sorely mistaken and missing another, more valuable treasure.
My mother tells a story of the day my second son was born. She still had not arrived at the hospital when I was being wheeled into the OR for a c-section. She recalls crying in the car and whispering to God, "But she's my baby. I should be there. I'm her mother."
Jesus tenderly whispered back, "But I'm her Savior. I love her more."
I think of my husband. He woke up three times with our crying two-year-old last night. Why? Because he wanted me to be able to sleep. That's love.
But there is One who loves more.
Can you picture your mother? She packed your lunches and probably still calls you every day. She prayed over you with tears during your most trying times. That's love.
But there is One who loves more.
How about your dad? My father-in-law once drove an hour and fifteen minutes to help my sister-in-law hang a shower curtain rod in her new apartment. That's love.
But there is One who loves more.
Think about your dearest friends. My friend Jennifer will ask me if I need help for an upcoming event before I can even think to ask. That's love.
But there is One who loves more.
And what about our precious children? Whether they share our last name or are only ours during school hours or Sunday school time. A hug from a peanut butter and jelly covered five-year-old? That's love.
But there is One who loves more.
These precious people God has placed in our lives are just the ultimate, aren't they? Joy-inducing, heart-bursting, honest-to-goodness gifts.
But none of them left a heavenly throne, suffered at the hands of evil, and overcame death for you.
See, Jesus loves you more.
Revelation 19:11 tells us the story of "the Rider on the white horse." He is dressed in white and leads the armies of heaven. He comes to earth to vanquish evil and wipe away the tears of His people. He is called King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Maybe you've been fortunate enough to receive the love of spouses, mothers, fathers, friends, and children. Praise God for those blessings!
But maybe you've been hurt by lack of love. Suffered the loss of a mother or a child. Never knew your father. Were betrayed by your best friend.
Friend, if that latter category is familiar, boy do I have good news.
You see, that Rider on the white horse? Our precious Jesus? Revelation also gives Him another name:
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse,
whose rider is called Faithful and True.
(emphasis mine)
And there He is, the One who loves you most. And He is not confined to things we humans are: to death, abandonment, loneliness, loss, betrayal. Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38). Nothing. Because His love is limitless and carries no trace of human weakness. His law? It's pure love (2 John 1:6).
In His perfection He has committed Himself to you. He has named Himself for you - "Faithful and True to (insert-your-name-here)".
And your name? My friend, it's engraved on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16).
So let's celebrate the people whom God has placed in our lives. Let's love them and appreciate them. But in a place of honor, held high in our hearts, let's celebrate Jesus.
Because He loves you more.
Oh, Faithful and True:
Let us remember that Your love is Perfect. Let us remember that You will never leave us nor forsake us. Why? Because it is against Your very nature. It is impossible for You to let go of what You have claimed. Let us return Your love in the best ways we can: by recognizing it and showing obedience to Your Law. The Law that just happens to be love, too.
Lord, may it be so.
