"The Phenomenon Of Love"
By: Zach Wood
1 John 4:16
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 him.


A Valentine devotional made its way to my e-mail inbox this past week. The three words used most were "God is love". Yes, there other words included in the Scripture. However, just seeing "God is love" was enough to get my thinking juices flowing.

Haven't I understood this all my life growing up in the church? Why has this all of a sudden just struck me? I know that God loves me and is the supreme source of love. So, why was I so moved by something I already knew and was well aware of? Because it was a serious reality check which made me re-evaluate the verse all over again in my mind. Re-reading this Scripture motivates me to think back to what God did for us by sending Jesus to die. It was something taught to me growing up in church and even through college. Many times, it lost its deep effect and became something I just "knew" and didn't consider fully. It's quite interesting how God brings us to certain times in life when we totally rethink something He has done for us.

We come to a week where flowers, candy and other gifts will be given between spouses and boyfriends and girlfriends. One day in which many people go out of their way to really impress that special someone. For some, Valentine's Day is a day of love and celebration of long-lasting relationships. However, for others, it's a day of feeling alone, depressed and unwanted. I've been there and many of you have, too. If you don't have a significant other, Valentine's Day is just plain boring and dry.

I would like to remind those of you who don't have a spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend that there is a Valentine who has always been with you. He doesn't have to send you flowers, candy or take you to candlelit dinners to make you feel special. He's done more than any florist could do. He's spent more than any man could on a candlelit meal. He brought a gift to you so much sweeter than any box of chocolates. God brought you a gift that is not only special on one day out of the year, but the entire year. He leads us to look at the Cross where the greatest example of love took our place for the sin of the world.

God's Love is a phenomenon. He gives love so that we, in return, will love Him back and share His love with others.