Valentine’s Day has come and gone; and many a love
has been won and lost, many a heart healed and broken, many a relationship
strengthened and destroyed. Businesses have counted their profits. Tons of gift items exchanged
hands. Red roses. Chocolates.
Cards. Perfumes. Watches. Diamonds. Yes, diamonds are forever. And a lady’s best friend? Houses and cars made the gift list too.
Valentine’s Day is such
good business that despite the recent global financial meltdown “love spending”
around the world has remained on an ascending curve. Last year [2011], according to
USA’s National Retail Federation, Americans alone were expected to spend USD
$15. 7 billion (N2.5 trillion naira) for Valentine’s Day on everything from flowers
to trinkets and jewelry. Who says bad economy affects love?
But how many of
us have actually taken the time to examine the significance of Valentine’s Day
in our personal lives, in the lives of our family? What does Valentine’s Day call us to? As the legend goes, St. Valentine died
for love, in the example of Jesus Christ.
He died that others may live, and love. He, like Jesus Christ, sacrificed his life.
Love is
sacrifice. To love is to sacrifice; and those who love sacrifice their all. Everything,
on that altar of love. Without
counting the cost. John 3:16 tells us: “For God so loved the world that he gave
his only Son…” God sacrificed the
“only” thing he had, so to say.
Out of love. That we may
have life and live, in abundance. And
out of that same love, Jesus Christ sacrificed his own life on the Cross. “For no greater love has anyone than to
lay down their life for their friends” (John 15:13). With his life, he bought us for God, making us sons and
daughters, co-heirs to God’s eternal kingdom.
