Valentines Day Challenge: Live Loved!

Happy Valentines Day Chaps!

The origins of Valentines Day are a bit murky, but regardless of that it’s a BIG business day for card companies, florists, jewelers and confectioners. For some, romance is in the air with all its associated joys and pleasures, for others it's a sad day focusing on love lost or never found. But one thing is for sure - Valentines Day is one of the most emotionally scattering days of the year - we love it, we hate it or we're apathetic towards it.

Now despite what the Valentines-Media-Machine would have us believe, love isn't just a feeling reserved for the lucky few, the passive result of something bestowed from another; no, LOVE IS A VERB - a doing word - something to own and give.

So with this knowledge in hand I'm here to claim Valentines Day back for the masses! Let's Live Loved.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says

"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."

The chances are you've heard this Bible passage, probably at weddings and that's a great place for it, but it has a much broader application to our everyday lives. What would happen if we changed the way we look at and live love from passive to active...

(insert your name) is patient, (insert your name) is kind. (insert your name) does not envy, (insert your name) does not boast, (insert your name) is not proud. (insert your name) does not dishonor others, (insert your name) is not self-seeking, (insert your name) is not easily angered, (insert your name) keeps no record of wrongs. (insert your name) does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (insert your name) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

This to me is Living Loved.

What difference do you think this would make to our lives? What difference would it make to our work? Do you think it might be a little more joyful than the lives we are living now?

I think it's worth a try :-)  

So today I wish you a very joyful Valentines Day filled with love...and if any cards, flowers, chocolates and jewels come your way - that's all good too!