February tends to be the time when we get the most snow out here, which makes it a great time to rebuild stock for the rest of the year. February, however, is not just a time to rebuild our stock levels, it is also the month where a large population of the world set aside one day to celebrate “love.”
Our family doesn’t tend to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Sure, we may wish each other a “happy Valentine’s Day,” but that’s about it. No gifts, no cards. Why? Because, although the concept of setting apart one day for expressing love is a nice idea, the Christian life is a life of expressing love, not just a day.
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34). As Christians, we are to love others the same way Christ loves us, and that isn’t just one day a year. Jesus loves us more than we could ever know and that love is the same everyday. Therefore, we are to love others that way every day of the year.
But maybe even more important than being reminded of how we are to love others, Valentine’s Day should be a reminder to every believer of the immense love God has shown us through the sending of His Son to die for our sin. No greater display of love has ever been shown apart from the cross. It is there that Jesus Christ willingly gave up His own spotless life, in order that we may be redeemed and given His eternal righteousness and life. No wonder Paul could write, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
This February, no matter what your business is, make sure you take time to reflect on the greatest display of love this world has ever witnessed, and give glory to God for how great a Savior He is.
– Shaun M. Hewlett