Valentine’s Day is less than a week away, for some this is a time to spend showering their significant other with gifts of chocolate, flowers and other romantic gestures, while for others it is another day full of dreadful reminders of their single, unfulfilled love stories or simply a day to complain about the overrated, consumerism holiday.
Who do you love? To answer this question you might have to ask yourself the definition of “love”. The official definition of love is,
“a intense feeling of deep affection.”
Maybe you have your own rendition of the word “love”. Love is one of the strongest emotions we can experience here on earth. It can cause great unity among people, yet for others a deep affiliction comes with the phrase, “who do you love?”
All of us on some level have experienced rejection. Human rejection is arguably one of the most painful trials we face, whether it is from a complete stranger or a close loved one. We were created for connection with others, to have a sense of belonging and acceptance. My heart breaks for those who feel rejected, unworthy, lost and alone, for those who are searching to find attention from anywhere and anyone. These deep wounds need to be addressed, healed and restored.
I believe this happens through connection with others, through vulnerability of your past and allowing others to speak truth into the lies the enemy tries to allow us to believe about ourselves. ” You will never be loved because…”
Who do I love? I love the people who have said yes to my flaws, short comings, and definite weird quirks. I love the people that do life with me everyday, and the people who I see few and far between but still deeply care for me. I love the people that express themselves to me and let me in and I love the people who take their time to open up and allow me to love them for who they are. I love that in a few months I get to go to nations around the world and give and receive love from many friends to come!
Plausibly, I even love the people who have rejected me, and I thank them because they have taught me a life lesson that my identify doesn’t fall in the acceptance of others. I love that the Lord firmly promises to love us unconditionally. I love that the Lord gave his own life up, knowing the love he has for you and I is unmeasurable. His perfect love will cast out all our fears, and he can teach us to fully love again.
“love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”
~1 Corinthians 13:7
“Who do you love?”
