Valentine Gift

I did not intend on writing a Bible devotion on a Valentine gift, but as I prayed for guidance I was listening to the radio and I was reminded of GOD’S gift of love to us through Jesus Christ. Although I have been married for quite a while, I too am subjected to the guilt that is Valentine’s Day. But what is this “holiday” all about? Why do we need to give cards, chocolates, flowers and/or jewelry to demonstrate our love?

If you search the internet on the history of Valentine’s Day, you will find a celebration of Saint Valentine’s death. Actually there were several St. Valentines beheaded on February 14th at the command of Roman Emperor Claudius Gothicu. Kind of gruesome isn’t it? But it is why those Saints were beheaded that is the focus of my devotion today. For it is written that the Saints were witnessing to non-believers and authority didn’t care for it. Isn’t that the true gift of love?

So it is clear that GOD’S Valentine’s Gift to mankind is the sacrifice of HIS Only Begotten Son, but what is our Valentine’s gift to GOD in return? That’s where I start to hang my head in shame. For all we are given as believers in Jesus Christ (our Lord and Savior), what are we doing to show GOD our appreciation for His Love.

In Acts 1:8, we read Jesus telling His Disciples “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Is that not what Jesus has asked from us all in the Great Commission? For we read in Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”

But if we love someone enough to buy those cards, flowers, chocolates, and/or jewelry for Valentine’s Day, why wouldn’t we demonstrate our love every day? It is a challenging question for us all. Why aren’t we demonstrating our love for the ONE who has given believers everlasting life? Yet I hear the HOLY SPIRIT reminding me what Jesus has commanded us to do “go therefore and make disciples”. Is that so much to ask of a believer, to tell others of the love they have received and give them the opportunity to have everlasting life? So what is stopping us from approaching that coworker or relative?

For many, the thought of witnessing is a scary thing and others may feel they are inadequate to carry out such a mission. Yet if you recall what Jesus first said in Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you”. After all you are not going to give them salvation. Instead, you are going to be an example, a witness for them so that they may ask Him into their heart.

As simple as one sinner telling another sinner how to have Agape Love. As we experience another Valentine’s Day and all its hype, pray for the HOLY SPIRIT to guide your witness and give you the opportunity to tell others your love story. Let your witness be a Valentine’s gift to the ONE who gave you everlasting life.