all you need is love

Valentine's Day.  Oh how the singulars dread it.  Though they despise the day and the starry-eyed couples, they dream of a guy knocking on their door, bearing red roses and divine chocolates with mousse in the middle.  Or something equally elegant.  But instead, they're alone, left with their bowl of cookie dough ice cream and tear stains on their cheeks from watching The Notebook.

I'm a singular (my term for a single person haha ;)).  I've never had a boyfriend in my life.  16 Valentine's Days have passed, and I've survived each and every one without shedding a tear.  I've never had a secret admirer leave me flowers or a handsome gentleman buy me anything.  It's been me, myself, and I for as long as I can remember.

So many people feel the need to have a 'significant other' around this holiday, but I don't think that's the only kind of love Valentine's Day is about.

Now I'm not saying you shouldn't enjoy Valentine's if you do have a significant other.  By all means, be all smiles and giggles and sweet stuff like that!  But for those of you who don't--

Why not love on people that really need it?  There are so many people who walk through life without ever knowing what it truly means to be loved.  Maybe it's an outcast at your school.  A homeless person on the side of the road.  A child overseas.

So this Valentine's Day, I encourage all you singulars (and non-singulars!) to just love on people.  Help someone out with their homework.  Give out candy to random strangers.  Share a verse with your best friend.  Or your blog readers.. ;)

If I could speak all the languages of the earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.  If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing.  If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing. --1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Love on people, guys.  Tell them about the True Love and how He gave Himself.  If you don't, what's any of this worth?

Nothing.

"The best thing to hold on to in life is each other."  --Audrey Hepburn

"this is not a suggestion, create disciples."

This lyric from "After the Music Stops" by Lecrae caught my attention.  I was sitting in English, listening to my Pandora, and it washed over me like an unexpected tidal wave.  The rest of the words had just flown through my headphones, but these came out as clear as day.

"This is not a suggestion, create disciples."

Although my relationship with God has strengthened these past few months, my relationships with others haven't.  I'm rather... skittish.. when it comes to reaching out.  People, in a sense, scare me.  They're cruel, judgmental, excluding, and anything but gracious.  And because I've been rejected all too many times, I tend to shy away from anyone I think could hurt me, even if unintentionally.  I go sprinting in the opposite direction, trying to keep my heart in tact.  I don't want to be sitting on the floor, picking up the shattered pieces yet once again.

"This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples -- when they see the love you have for each other."
--John 13:35

Notice the red letters.  That's right-- Jesus said that.  Not God via Matthew, Luke, Paul, or Timothy.  God himself said that.  He also had (something along the lines of) this conversation with Peter.

"Peter, do you love me?"
"Yes, Jesus, I do."
"Then feed my sheep."

Repeat X 2.

God treasures His children; He loves His lambs.  So why don't we?  We're supposed to reflect Him in every way.  Maybe, like me, you're scared of being hurt.  Maybe social class or status is making divisions between you and others.  And if you're unsure of what it is, I encourage you to search your heart until you do, and rip it to shreds like an essay you received with an F on it. Then follow His command.

Love God.  Love people.  It's not a suggestion.  Create disciples.