Loving Like Jesus

As we approach a season of love, we embrace indulgence in chocolates, romanticizing our lives, and the desire to feel only happiness. So often I’ve seen love portrayed as an illusion of bliss, yet true love isn’t as blissful as Valentine’s Day portrays.

Philippians says that Jesus left His bliss in Heaven to come and die (Philippians 2:7-8). I’d love to see that on a Valentine’s card this year. Yet that is the love that compels us–to move away from our families, to engage in cultures that disregard us, and to offer our lives as a living sacrifice. This love allows us to never feel empty because we know He will never leave us nor forsake us. Even if we find ourselves thousands of miles away from our loved ones, we can continue to love those we’ve been called to serve, resting in the fact that Love Himself is always with us.

In this season of the pursuit of blissful love, I hope we can grasp something much deeper: a love that allows us to commit ourselves to the One who gave His all for us. May we indulge in His goodness, spend time with the Romancer of our soul, and allow the joy of His love to fill us.