It's that day again. The heart-bearing cards, with mushy poetry, have been filling the shelves of shops for weeks. The advertisements on TV have been encouraging us to book that romantic break, organise that sumptuous meal. All to show that special someone how much they're loved.
It's fun. There was certainly a flurry of excitement in my home when an unexpected Valentine's card landed on the doorstep. Intriguing to say the least! But it's fake. Not because couples don't genuinely care about one another - many do. But because, as a BBC article suggested recently, the phenomenon of February 14th capitalises on a fictional notion of romantic love, rather than true love. It fixates on the rush of emotion, the lie that there's a soulmate out there somewhere who will make life simply wonderful with all other problems melting away.
The truth is, love is hard work, it demands sacrifice and commitment and rarely looks like the Hollywood blockbusters would have us believe.
The most fascinating quote from the article was from philosopher, Simon May. He "proposed that while many have given up on God in the West, we still long for the unconditional love that God used to offer. But godless, we seek instead unconditional love from our fellow humans. We make them gods, and of course they fail us."
Well said, Simon May! Though with one fairly significant amendment. That unconditional love of which you speak ... it's still on offer. True love remains a real possibility. Through Jesus' sacrifice that consistent intimacy, adoration, protection and provision is available here and now. To those who are married, those who are dating, those who are happily single and those who feel desperately alone.
So if you're in a relationship, do enjoy a lovely meal together today. Quality time is great. But whether we're in a relationship or not, let's fix our eyes on Jesus, the embodiment of true love this Valentine's Day. Let's revel in the grace that he has showered on us. And let's pray for those who are looking for love elsewhere that they will turn around and seek his face for the depth of relationship and the fullness of life that only he can bring (John 10:10).
