First Corinthians 13 and it's Relevance on February 14

So many of my friends have been posting about Valentines Day or Singles Awareness day on Facebook. So, I thought that I'd point out some not very well known things about Valentines Day.

First, the origin of Saint Valentines Day has a slightly different meaning and back story than that of today, but hey, so do the rest of the holidays.

"When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death."1

So, that's why it's remembered? Well, that's dumb you say, how about we embrace how it's evolved? Let's just talk about love instead of Saint Valentine. 

Fine, let's talk about love.

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 

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.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."2

There, that's what I call love. Love, can be felt, but it's also a choice. Despite the hurt that some people cause us, we can choose to love them. It's not all about the feelings, it's also about the thoughts. For instance, it's no great accomplishment if you love someone who is kind to you. But loving those who persecute you, that is love.

Anyways, hopefully this has let you get some insight into Josh. I will be celebrating today, but keeping Paul's words in mind is very important, midst all of the silliness of today.

-Josh

1: http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day
2: 1st Corinthians 13, The Bible