{UN}conditional love.

Valentines Day is over. You know what that means?

Half off on candy in your local grocery store! You can stock up on Valentine’s for next year.

Even though Valentines Day is over, I still want to talk about the L word–Love.

I tweeted a few weeks ago about God’s love.

“When you think you’ve understood everything there is about Gods love, you realize there is so much more. Wrecked by love.”-@sarahhhvictoria 

We will never really grasp all the characteristics of God’s love & that’s ok! I would much rather fall more in love with Him everyday then learn all there is about Him and get bored.

I was listening to a sermon on YouTube from Louie Giglio. Can’t remember what sermon it was because I watched multiple sermons from multiple pastors or I would share the link with you. Something Louie said was that God loves us unconditional. I’ve heard the word unconditional countless times. I’ve used the word unconditional many times in conversations. But I never thought about the word unconditional.

Louie phrased God’s love like this. “God loves us without condition. There is no qualification that we have to meet for Him to love us. We didn’t do anything. He loves us without condition.”

Now, I didn’t quote him word by word but I hope you get the gist.

He loves us without condition.

Think about it.

God knew us before we were formed in our mothers womb. He knew our steps in life, our passions, & how we would serve Him OR not serve Him. Even though He knew about everything we would do–things that would disappoint Him, break His heart, etc. He still chose to love us.

He is our yearly Valentine.

Daily we are consumed with His love even when we don’t deserve it.

His love compared to love between people is radically different.

When I love someone, there is a reason behind it.

“I love my friends because they do _________ (fill in the blank).” -Me

“I love when my mom makes ____________ (fill in the blank).” -Me

But when God loves us, there is no reason at all. It’s just because He loves. (1 John 4:8)

“I love you. No reason. I just do.” -God

When you’ve messed up, cursed God, fallen far from Him or have never accepted Him into your heart–know this–God loves you, just because that’s who He is.

GO. BE. LOVE.

It’s that time of the month. The stores are full of the color red, boxes of candy are located anywhere & everywhere, and sooner than later you’ll be seeing your friends on Facebook getting engaged. Some people love this month and others dread it like a plague. Sometimes I am one of those people who hate this time of year. The green monster comes out and I say, “I’m so lonely. I want someone, besides my mom & dad, to think of me! I want flowers! I want a boyfriend!!!!” But I’ve decided that this year, February 14th it’s going to be different.

I’m going to be Christ’s love.

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”-Ephesians 5:1-2

It’s so easy to get caught up in this month either in spending a lot of money on your significant other or complaining about how lonely you are and how you wish February 14th never existed. Now I’m not saying you should not buy anything for your guy or gal, but on this day lets also think of others. When Christ died on the cross He thought of ALL of us. Not just a few. You aren’t going to affect everyone. There is no need to give everyone you come in contact with a Valentines card but in action and speech you can love. How can you be the love of Christ? There are so many people out there who want someone who can just listen to them. I want to be those ears for those who need them. I want to walk around more with a smile on my face then having a blank look draped on me. I need to ALWAYS have joy within. The joy of the Lord is my strength. People need strength. People need to know of the hope that Christ provides. Just how I present myself could change someone’s life. Remember that through Christ, all things are possible.

What are you going to do differently that could change someone’s life this February 14th? You don’t have to spend any money. For example I want to go to my friends pages on FaceBook and just share with them how blessed  I am to have them in my life. You could make cookies. You could write notes. You could just call someone up and tell them you were thinking of them. You could purchase someone’s meal or drink when you’re in the Drive-Thru. But remember that in everything, do it in love.  1 Corinthians 16:14 tells us to do so.

Christ is our one TRUE love. He is love that conquers all. He fills the void in our hearts. Friends, we need to shine with this amazing love to a world that is in so much misery.

GO. BE. LOVE.

 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”-1 John 4:7-8

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”-John 13:34-35

“We love because He first loved us.”-1 John 4:19

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”-1 Corinthians 13:4-7