Where I live mid winter usually means frigid temperatures, dreary gray skies and the question of whether or not we will ever see the colors of spring again. It also means that you can’t enter a store without being bombarded with all things "valentine". Everywhere you look there are huggable teddy bears, heart shaped boxes of chocolates and walls literally covered with romance theme greeting cards.
But are these cute sentiments a true representation of what love is? How many can recall the euphoria of being "in love" and thinking that life can’t get any better; that is until the infatuation fades. Then comes the wondering if that’s all there is, and the search for depth in our relationships begins. Can real commitment be found in the giving of diamonds, or is it more accurately seen when a wounded heart forgives a wayward spouse, welcoming them home with forgiveness and open arms? Does a bouquet of flowers show true affection or can it be better expressed through the giving of ones time in teaching, encouraging and mentoring? Is love all about butterflies in the stomach, or is it a man on a cross sacrificing Himself for the sake of the ones who rejected Him?
For all the various ways love can be described, isn’t the truest and simplest definition of all that "God is love"? (1 John 4:7 & 8 and 1 John 4:16) So, to know love is to know God, and to know God is to know love. True love, completely fulfilling and all encompassing love is only found in communion with Him.
I recently read a book, which blatantly told me that the love of my husband would never be enough to fulfill me. At first I was extremely offended. How dare the author presume to know the depth of my marital relationship? What right did they have to imply that our devotion to each other falls short of what we need in our personal lives? But then it was explained that the reason we can never find total fulfillment in each other is because as human beings we were not designed to be completed by the life and experiences we have here on earth. We were created to long for more; to desire something greater, something beyond this plane of existence.
And where do we find this perfect love? In Christ alone. When will we be totally and eternally in His presence and by His side? When we reach heaven. So it is only then that we will fully understand and know love. (2 Thessalonians 3:5) "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."
So this year as you find yourself surrounded by roses, jewelry and various delectable sweets; pick out something nice for the one you love. But remember that any gift we can give is only a token of our feelings, the smallest expression of what eternity holds for all those who desire completion through the love of God. Imagine the day when we stand face to face with the Savior and, to coin a phrase once popularized by a hit movie, we can truly say, "You complete me."
