My “not-so-funny” Valentine

Happy Valentine’s Day

It is such a misty and rainy Valentine Day this year, completely opposite with the colors of red and pink and the essence of warm and love. This Valentine, even weather feels hesitate to celebrate it.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate Valentine even if it reminds me of a dinner time with a man who brought me a dark chocolate. I don’t hate Valentine even though I never celebrate it with whom I really love. I don’t hate Valentine… Why would one hate a day where people can cherish the greatest power of all. Love.

Yes, Love. Love to the Lord, Lord God. Valentine’s Day was a shorten of Saint Valentine’s Day. It is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day itself is named after one or more early Christian martyrs, Saint Valentine. A martyr. One who sacrifices their life to the Lord God. This day was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD as Saint Valentine’s Day. It was deleted from the Roman calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI, but its religious observance is still permitted. [find out more here]

“…but its religious observance is still permitted.” religious observance… hmmm…
Have you ever celebrate Valentine’s Day with religious observance? nu-uh. Not me. But this is a very interesting idea to think through. Well, rather than grumbling for a-never-comes-prince-charming why can’t we use our thought to think of something different. still regarding Valentine’s Day but with different perspective.

I was reading my daily devotional, ODJ, when this Valentine’s thingy barged into my thought. A verse becomes so clear resembling the real Valentine’s Day, well, in my personal perspective. Hosea 14. Turn your google and read the whole chapter for a thorough understanding. “My love will know no bounds.” I read verse 4 and felt overwhelmed by the new meaning I know. Some knowledge of this book flashes in my mind. How God really loves His people, His very-famous-for-backsliding people. My heart bowed down and tear shaded…when I recall some backsliding that I keep on doing.

Hosea was a prophet married to a prostitute, Gomer, at God’s command. Hosea’s family life reflected the “adulterous” relationship which Israel had built with polytheistic gods. The relationship between Hosea and Gomer parallels the relationship between God and Israel. Even though Gomer runs away from Hosea and sleeps with another man, he loves her anyway and forgives her. Likewise, even though the people of Israel worshipped other gods, God continued to love them and did not abandon his covenant with them. Even though I worshipped other gods, God continued to love me and did not abandon his covenant with me.

Have you ever imagine married to a prostitute? Not a repented one, no, a real prostitute. What kind of life will you think you’ll have? What kind of children will you raise? Well… I cannot imagine this at all. And have you ever consider yourself as The prostitute. The one who keeps on having affair with other gods, money, people, things, etc. The one who keeps on doing backsliding.

This Valentine’s Day, remember The One whose love know no bounds. And love Him with love without bounds. Happy Valentine’s Day.