For some people, the one day that’s scarier than Friday the 13th is Friday the 14th…when the 14th lands on a Friday in February! (Okay, there’s also tax deadline day, but that’s another story.)
Yes, it’s Valentine’s Day.
As a child, I remember that it was customary to bring a valentine for everybody in my class at school. Looking back, I think that seemed a bit artificial, but there was value in leaving no one out. At the same time, I sort of wished I could have just brought one valentine…usually for the prettiest girl in the class.
Though Valentine’s Day is in no particular way a Christian feast day – not even among most of those who celebrate saints’ days – my childhood experience does reflect something of God’s view on love. That is, God has a valentine for everybody. After all, Jesus said that God so loved the world – not a select few. God’s love for everybody is what sent his only Son into the world…that whoever believes in him will have eternal life.
Here’s a way I’ve seen it depicted visually. Spend a few minutes pondering this image, and give thanks to God that he sent you a valentine in Jesus. Will you send one back to him?