Empty Boxes, Hurting Hearts

When Sinners Say "I Do"Another Valentine’s Day has come and gone. Gifts were given. Some carefully planned and thoughtful, others, not so much. The flowers are in their vases, the chocolate has been enjoyed, the calendar has a new date. But the most important question still remains.

How is your relationship?

Did last night help to make it stronger? Do doubts still remain? Does the new morning bring new worries?

The answers to these questions are found in the relationship that matters most – your relationship with God. Knowing and loving God gives significance to all other relationships. This morning after, one thing is certain above all others, God has not changed. He is constant. This means the content of love does not change.

If you gauge the success of your relationship by how things went last night a rough road lies ahead. Each day will be one of uncertainty and trying to get everything right. This means that discouragement grows and relationships search for wholeness.

But if your relationship is based on the faithfulness of God’s love for you then you have hope for the days ahead. God is the one who defines love, not what you did or didn’t do last night. Your love for your husband or wife cannot be grounded in empty boxes. Your love for each other must be grounded in the example of Jesus Christ. Jesus gave up his life for those whom he loved. You must do the same.

Focusing on Christ’s love will bring stability and security to your relationship. Last night proved that romance is not enough. It might have been wonderful. But the reality is that one day, one night cannot sustain love. Beautiful flowers and gifts cannot sustain love. Christ’s love for you does not waver based on how things went yesterday. If you have a bad day today, his love does not change. If your spouse has a bad day today, Christ’s love does not change.

Give the gift of Christ’s love to those you love most, especially to your spouse. It is Christ’s love that is the fuel of enduring love and romance.  Special nights and gifts are for the moment. The love of God is forever:

Love is patient, 

Love is kind,

Love does not envy,

Love is not boastful, 

Love is not arrogant, 

Love is not rude,

Love is not self-seeking, 

Love is not irritable,

Love does not keep a record of wrongs.

Love finds no joy in unrighteousness 

Love rejoices in the truth. 

Love bears all things, 

Love believes all things, 

Love hopes all things, 

Love endures all things.

Shepherd Press