Love Has a Name

Valentine’s Day. The day that social media is flooded with pictures of couples and loved ones. Whatever way you express your celebration of the day the main point remains the same - love. This past year I’ve learned a lot about love. It’s so simple, yet so complex and profound. I’ve also been educated on the different types of love and how to love better.

There is a significant love found in the Bible, one of many, and it was displayed on the Cross. Sacrificial love. Jesus laid His life down in order to give us a chance at experiencing His Father’s overwhelming, unending, love. I am so grateful for this, and this is the center of where all true love is found.

This last year I’ve undergone a tremendous amount of growth in many arenas, but specifically in the department of self love. God rushes in daily to comfort and love me every chance I let Him in. I have found purpose, beauty, and confidence the closer I get to God. My worth is not found in materials of the world or my achievements or the opinions others so freely give. My worth is determined by what God says about me, after all He is the one that hand crafted each and every single one of us. Every detail was on purpose. Going through my day knowing that I am so loved, cared for, and adored helps me love the person God created me to be.

It brings me joy to meet new people and learn about them and what makes them special. However, this does not mean that I get along with everyone. Going into this year of high school I chose the word LOVE to cover my year. “The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31

I wanted to love my neighbor as Jesus loved everyone to lay His life down. I’m not perfect at this, but when someone begins to frustrate me I take a step back and ask God to show me how He sees them. He sees them as He sees me. Beautiful, worthy, capable, forgiven, loved beyond any kind of measure, and adored beyond belief. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.” Luke 6:32

Ask God to change your perspective because many times we get into solidified mindset we weren’t aware of.

Valentine’s Day does not have to be an ugly reminder of singleness or the only day of the year that people are reminded they are loved. Jesus is my forever valentine, and He can be yours too. I’ve seen His love shown by His actions on the Cross that made it possible to experience His Father’s compassion. Therefore, now that I know that love doesn’t give up, continues to find the best, serves, and forgives I can apply that to my life whether it is in loving myself or loving my neighbor. We can love because He first loved us.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

Love has a Name - Jesus.