Will you be my valentine?

I have never been a huge fan of Valentine's Day, so I decided to write a note because I am not on a date and I have time.

To be honest, I think it's pretty funny. This is the day that exalts lover and the loved one. Today is the day where men (in most cases) gets to show off how much they really love their significant other. Perhaps today may be the reason why so many babies are born in November... Today is the day when relationship status gets thrown into center stage; some may embrace their status, some are apathetic, and others are trying to change it. Many men are bold on this day. They will finally attempt to cross the great divide so they would be able to ask, "Will you be my Valentine?" Maybe it is the atmosphere of this wretched day that makes single ladies feel alone and left out. So I say to all the single guys, go ask them out now when they are vulnerable because they will most likely agree!

Kidding.

I decided to treat Jesus to some white chocolate mocha on Valentine's Day, me and Him went on a man-date to Starbucks. I spend the better part of my afternoon sitting in Starbucks just reading the bible, listening to some sermons, and just reflecting on some things. As I sat in Starbucks, I started thinking 1 John 4: 10.

And in this is Love, not that we loved God but because he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation of our sins.

God is picture in the bible as a father, a king, a friend, and a judge. But what stood out today was the fact that God is also pictured as a lover. Like a man who is crazy in love and will stop at nothing to woo the girl of his dreams. I have always found this description of God kinda weird because I am guy and the thought that God loves me like His lover is just... Awkward. But this depiction of God's love just show how strong and intense His love towards us is.

Love sends. Love moves. Love acts. Love is not still.

When a guy is in love with a girl, he moves towards her. He talks to her. He seeks her out. He will overcome any barrier that stands between them. He will "happen" to run into her in the library. He "happens" to send her a text message that was "meant" for somebody else. He "happens" to call her "thinking" it was somebody else's number. The point is that he does something. And when the time comes, he will ask to be identified with her; "will you be MY valentine?" "will you be MY girlfriend?" "will you marry ME?" etc... At that moment, he will lay everything on the table, he is at her mercy, he is open to rejection, he is vulnerable, but he doesn't force her because love is a choice.

In like manner, God chases us, God's love overcame the barrier that separates us from Him. For God so love, he gave. He overcame the barrier of our apathy; And in this is love, NOT that we love God... He overcame the barrier of His wrath; He became the propitiation our sin. It is said that the ground is leveled at the foot of the cross, meaning nobody is higher or lower than anyone else. The crazy thing is that standing with us on that leveled ground is God himself. He gave up everything, He emptied himself and became like us so that He can save us. Like the man who is crazy in love, God asks to be identified with us. He gave us a choice because love doesn't seek to control others.

And just like the guy who asks a girl to be his valentine and just like the lover who open his arms to embrace his loved one, Christ stretched out his hands, from one end of the cross to the other, and asked the world,

"Will you be MY valentine?"

Hope you had a great day!