Pastor's Corner

February is here, and with it, Valentine’s Day. I remember the first time I asked a girl out. I was in sixth grade. She quickly turned me down. It took me three more years to work up the courage to ask another girl out, but I had learned and was more mature! This time it would be different! It wasn’t. I was again rejected. Ah, but a mere year later, the third girl I asked out…well, it ended in rejection.

Based on my history I should have known better than to ask out that cute red-haired-girl my senior year, but I didn’t. She said yes. Four years later I asked her another question, and still she said yes. February 8 marks our eighteenth year of marriage. What insane idea would compel me to keep trying after multiple failures? It must have been something deeply rooted inside me.

God Himself used the romantic relationship as a metaphor for His relation to the Church. Christ called the Church a Bride and Himself the Groom. What a powerful image that is! Imagine: Jesus thinks of Himself as a loving husband, completely devoted to us and no other! He loves and cherishes, protects, and provides for us, just as the ideal husband should. In return, we are called to respond to that love with devotion, commitment, and faithfulness. This is the intention of God from the beginning; that we should be devoted to one another, in harmony and care. This is the best reflection we have of the Image of God (See Genesis 1-2). Is it really any surprise then that God should make the desire for love (romantic or otherwise) such a deep part of the human experience?

Jesus told us that “No one has greater love that this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (NRSV). Jesus was speaking of an even greater type of love than romance: the type of love depicted by utter loyalty and devotion. This loyalty and desire to seek the wellbeing of others goes beyond mere chemical or emotional happenings. This kind of love is a lifestyle flowing from a transformed heart, honed through practice.

While most of us will probably not be called upon to literally die for others, like all three “Valentines” did, we are all called upon to set aside our own desires for the betterment of others. How can you do likewise this month?

Pastor Elwell Evan

Pomeroy Church of the Nazarene