Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
How wonderful it is to celebrate a day of ‘love’ I expect many of you will be making plans and thinking about how you will be spending the day. Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to show someone you care about just how much you love them; there are many different ways to show love and affection so why not dedicate a whole day right? A day that you can expect big red balloons, cuddly teddy bears, chocolates, love hearts galore, red roses and a candle lit dinner if you are fortunate enough……. aww sounds lovely doesn’t it?
Although for me personally, I can’t help but wonder what does this day really mean? Why do we celebrate it? Where did it originate from? Is it just another commercial celebration we have been roped into celebrating? The truth is I have never questioned this before now and to be honest I never really cared, like most things we celebrate because everyone else does; we tend to celebrate things that make us feel special; it’s an opportunity to receive gifts, so why not.
For some of us Valentine’s Day isn’t so great, especially if you are single as it’s just another reminder of how 'single' you are; for many the day couldn’t come and go quick enough. As I write this blog, a scene from the film Bridget Jones Diary comes to mind, there is a scene in the film when Bridget is sat on the sofa crying, feeling sorry for herself whilst singing the lyrics to the song “All by myself “ by Celine Dion – how depressing. (Although, I can expect there are a lot of people who’ve had a similar moment like this in their lifetime).
Thinking back, I can vividly remember one Valentine’s Day in particular. This day stands out as it’s the day I realised how much love I had around me. On this day I was at work (I was working at a Spa at the time) and as you can imagine many people were celebrating the day with a pamper day which means I was surrounded by a lot of loved up couples. Don’t get me wrong, I was content with being single (although it can become a bit much when you are surrounded by people you'd rather not be around ) and if you’re anything like me (an introvert) you often look for ways to avoid people the majority of the time; unless of course the people around you are really special; but as I have discovered you can only take them in small doses.
That evening when I got home something changed, I heard a song playing on the radio; the words “He is all I need Jesus is all I need” spoke directly to me through this song and in that very moment, I felt Gods love; it felt so pure, it literally felt like I could feel His arms wrapped around me as I poured my heart out to Him. I can truly say in this moment Jesus wanted me to know He is, and will be all I ever need – How awesome is that?! God loves us all and He is waiting to wrap His loving arms around you this Valentine’s Day. “In His presence there is fullness of joy” (psalms 16:11)
So let’s look at why we celebrate……
Where did Valentine’s Day originate from?
After doing some research I was able to get a clearer picture and to be honest I was relatively surprised at my findings. Now there are a number of myths and theories out there so it is difficult to identify what is true; not to mention there are multiple Saint’s called ‘Valentine’ including a lady called ‘Valentina’.
The most famous and most likely of the theories going around is about one particular ‘Valentine’ who was living in Rome nearly 1800 years ago. He was either a Priest or a Bishop in the Roman Empire; he ministered to persecuted Christians. This ‘Valentine’ also performed weddings for Christian couples during a time when the Roman Emperor Claudius banned soldiers from marrying as he believed it was bad for them; apparently it was a crime to help Christians during this time: The weddings arranged by St Valentine gave the husband’s involved authorisation to escape conscription; supposedly soldiers were sparse at this time so this was a big inconvenience to the Emperor.
One account mentions that in order to remind these men of their vows and God’s Love, Valentine cut hearts from parchment and gave them to soldiers and persecuted Christians; this is possibly the origin of the widespread use of hearts on Valentine’s Day. Multiple accounts also say that Valentine prayed for somebody’s blind daughter (some accounts say it was his Jailer’s daughter) and when he prayed for her, God restored her sight and on the day of his execution he sent the girl a note that was signed ‘Your Valentine’.
Interesting stuff…….!!
As we know lots of myths, legends and theories are based on truth and there is historical evidence of this St. Valentine’s existence, even though ‘14th February’ (Valentine’s Day) may be a happy day for most, it is also a day to reflect and remember St Valentine who was executed on this day in 269 AD on the order of Emperor Claudius II.
So what can we learn from this story of love and sacrifice?
This story is an example of what it takes to stand up when you feel injustice towards others; it is an example of what breaking the rules and taking a risk for what you believe in looks like; even if it means being persecuted and taken to prison or in extreme cases like St Valentine being martyred.
It’s good to know we can celebrate one another and show love, affection and appreciation on a day that is dedicated solely for this purpose. However let us remember that showing love also means speaking up for the ones we love when they are being treated unfairly and/or can’t speak up for themselves; love and sacrifice is about standing up for what’s right even if it means no one else is supporting or agreeing with you; there are many great men and women who have gone before us; who have helped open doors we have been given access to - for this reason we can appreciate those who have made such sacrifices.
Hearing this story has given me a new perspective, not only about Valentine’s Day but about love and sacrifice in general. I am more determined than ever to make a difference in this world and one way I ‘choose’ to do this is by advocating for the unborn babies who are at risk of being aborted and the women who suffer from the physical and psychological effects from child loss; this means being a voice for the voiceless and defending those who can’t defend themselves.
We all have a right to LIFE, a right to LOVE, a right to HOPE and a right to have a PURPOSE.
So this raises the question: What are you willing to do to make a difference? Are you willing to speak up against anything that goes against Gods will and purpose on this earth? Including the killing of unborn babies?
“ Just because something is legal, it doesn’t make it right "
The word of God tells us to “open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die, open your mouth judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8-9)
So the burning question is……Are you willing to risk it all for love?
Much Love & Blessings,
The CLM Team
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