Love Out

Nº 393

When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. - C.S. Lewis

This Saturday we celebrate Valentine’s Day, the holiday of love.

As a little boy I learned a chorus in Sunday school:

Oh how I love Jesus.

Oh how I love Jesus.

Oh how I love Jesus.

Because He first loved me.

That is absolutely true - but it is only part of the story.

We respond to God’s love for us with love for Him. How could we not? But John gives us more to think about. He said, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11) God’s love for us should not only motivate us to love Him, but also to share our love with others.

We tend to think of love as a closed loop; we love someone, and they love us back. Or someone loves us, and we love them back. But John explains God’s bigger picture. God’s love should be a fountain that overflows. As God pours his love into our lives, His expectation is that we, in turn, pour our love into the lives of those around us.

This Valentine’s Day, enjoy love - and love back. But also love out. Share with others the love God has given you.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President