What’s Love Got to Do with It?

“You will live at the level you are taught. Who you listen to will soon be who you will become like.” Pastor Mike Freeman

This post was inspired by the many status posts that I have come across as we lead up to the big day. What day you ask? Valentine’s Day. Yes, ladies and gentlemen we are approaching one of the most dreaded days for singles across the globe… and why is that? Because sometime ago, it was established that Valentine’s Day would be a day for lovers. It would be a day that florists, greeting card designers, and jewelry store owners would maximize their opportunity and make a fortune off of consumer emotions. It’s really not unlike any other holiday that has become so commercialized. So it’s my heart’s desire to bring light to what we should all truly be celebrating next week. I’m trying to save someone from breaking out the sappy movies and tub of ice cream to pacify the spirit of loneliness. This is not just for my ladies, I’m speaking to my fellas too because they get sucked into the hype of it all just the same.

Valentine’s Day should be the day that we celebrate the love we share with one another year round. The love I’m talking about is not secluded to a romantic love. The gift of love is a gift from God because God is love. (1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.) If any of you have ever experienced true love, you know that it is no greater feeling. The love that you have for your child, your mother, your best friend, your wife… there’s nothing that can replace it. So why do we limit the love that we celebrate on Valentine’s Day to just romantic love? I believe it has everything to do with how it’s marketed to us. Every commercial designed to promote products to consumers is geared toward couples. So what happens to those who may not have a significant other? There’s a window of opportunity that opens for the enemy to enter our thoughts and get us to begin to define our worth based on one day out of the year. I know this seems extreme but if you could see the Facebook statuses and the conversations I have with people who literally go into mourning the closer they get to February 14th. It’s just sad!!!

Let me encourage my sisters to not sell themselves short this year. Don’t seek out a man to fill a void for a day. Cards, candy, and jewelry are nice but it’s even better when it’s “just because.” If he wasn’t there on January 14th and he won’t be there on September 14th then what’s the point really? To say you had a Valentine?! It’s not that serious!! Let me challenge my single ladies to think outside the box this year. Celebrate the love you do have in your life and stop sulking over what you don’t have. Give to someone you love this year and stop worrying about what you may or may not receive. If he doesn’t make you feel special any other day of the year, why is it so important on February 14th? (Matt 6:21 For where a man’s treasure is, there will his heart be also.) Seriously ladies, you’re worth more than that! Surprise your father with a love gift. Visit an old friend and enjoy their company. Write love letters to your best friends letting them know that they are thought of on this day. Simply put, give the love that you want to receive and believe that your good works will not return unto you void.

And to my men, don’t fall for the hype. Let me be clear… I’m talking to the men who are really looking for “the one” not just trying to get them to bed. If you’ve been trying to get a girl’s attention for months now and suddenly on February 10th she’s given you the time of day… Run! She’s likely using you for a free meal and teddy bear. Don’t sell yourself cheap. You want to share this day with someone who will want to be around you the week after. So if no one woman fits that bill this year, show some love to your mother, your sister,  or your grandmother. Don’t waste your time and money on someone who doesn’t have the right heart towards you. (Prov. 31:10-31)

I pray that you hear my heart. I’m not anti-Valentine’s Day. Trust that I am a hopeless romantic! I love the idea of sharing a special day with a significant other and pampering each other. I just choose not to fill in a blank that was there every other day of the year for the purpose of holiday. It’s not worth it. So to all my single people out there… embrace Valentine’s Day this year but don’t neglect the main ingredient… LOVE. Share it with someone you truly love no matter what the relation and celebrate a real love that is felt year round!

So what does love have to do with it?? EVERYTHING!

1 Corinthians 13:4–8a Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails …

Colossians 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity

Be BOLD

Be FABULOUS

Be YOU

TUESDAYS WITH BIANCA