Valentine’s Day: A Reminder of Our Connections in Christ
The holidays are over…or so I thought. A quick trip to a local large retail store told me otherwise! Everywhere I looked Valentine’s Day decorations were out! Now Valentine’s Day often gets wrapped in clichés surrounding love and relationships, but, at its core, it’s about something deeper — the need for connection, appreciation, and recognition for and from the people who matter to us. Beneath the marketing and the red-and-pink displays, there’s an opportunity to pause and think about how we live out love in our everyday lives.
For Christians, it’s also a beautiful opportunity to reflect on the greatest example of love we have ever been given: the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. Scripture reminds us in 1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.” This truth reframes Valentine’s Day. It’s not just about romance or tradition — it’s about living out the kind of love that God has shown us: patient, kind, selfless, and enduring. Beneath all the commercial fluff, there’s an invitation to pause and ask how we can reflect Christ’s love in our relationships. This day doesn’t have to be about grand gestures or expensive gifts. In fact, the most meaningful expressions of love are often the simplest: a heartfelt prayer, a genuine conversation that makes someone feel heard, a word of encouragement rooted in God’s promises, a handwritten note that captures what you appreciate about them, or simply showing up when they need you most.
These acts remind us that love is less about performance and more about presence — the same way God is faithfully present with us. It’s also worth noting that Valentine’s Day isn’t only about couples. It’s a chance to strengthen bonds with friends, family, and even strangers. Jesus calls us to love our neighbors (Mark 12:31), and that includes reaching out to those who might feel overlooked — the lonely, the hurting, the forgotten. A small act of kindness, offered in His name, can be a powerful testimony of God’s care. If you strip away the commercial noise, Valentine’s Day becomes a spiritual checkpoint — a moment to ask: Am I showing the people in my life the kind of love Christ has shown me? The answer doesn’t have to be perfect, but the willingness to try is what keeps relationships alive and honors God.
Love, in all its forms, thrives on consistency, empathy, and action. It’s built in the everyday — in the way we forgive as Christ forgave us (Colossians 3:13), in the patience we extend when someone is struggling, and in the encouragement we offer when they doubt themselves. This February 14th, focus less on the spectacle and more on the substance. The most enduring relationships are not defined by one big day, but by the small, steady choices we make every day to love as Christ loves. When the flowers fade and the chocolates are gone, what remains is the trust, respect, and care we’ve built over time — rooted in the unshakable foundation of God’s love. That’s the real heart of Valentine’s Day for believers: not a single celebration, but a daily commitment to reflect the love of Jesus in every relationship.