Chocolates. Flowers. Love letters. Cards. Hearts. Teddy Bears. Candy. Balloons. Pink, red, and white colors....
It all goes into the bucket of what "makes" Valentine's Day.
There are many holidays that we celebrate in America, most of which we know nothing about. The origins of Halloween traditions are dark, evil, and should be avoided entirely! As children of the light, we should have no part in the "works of darkness." There are many origins and traditions of Valentine's Day, most of which are pagan and filled with perversion. The Romans took February 14th and began honoring their goddess of love and marriage, Juno. On February 15th, they would celebrate their male god, Faunus, god of fertility. It's no surprise that now, over a thousand years later, we celebrate "love" and all that it implies on February 14th, sometimes participating in reenactments of the same rituals used by the Romans. Of course, in 469 A.D. the Pope Gelasius and the Catholic church declared February 14th a holy day in honor of Valentinus, a martyr, instead of the pagan gods that were commonly worshipped.
So, what is a Christian to do? Personally, my husband and I do go the extra mile in telling each other that we love each other. We try to make extra, special time to be together. He will give me flowers and I will give him a love letter or small gift. Keeping in mind the origin, we try to take back each day and use it to glorify God. As Christians, we need to do away with the pagan traditions and take each day back from the devil. We should be rid of his works of darkness (not ignore them, mind you, but do away with them) and begin making every day a day that is consecrated to Christ. Personally, we will raise our kids to avoid the Valentine card give-a-ways that are pushed upon today's children. Why? The origin. We will teach our children not to dwell on love and romance before its time. Why? Because it awakens desires prematurely, it cuts their innocence short, and it will cause them to be discontent. (Song of Solomon 2:7, 3:5, 8:4). Instead, we will train them to demonstrate God's love; to be patient, kind, giving, and selfless, refusing proud and envious attitudes. We will train them to wait for romance until God sees fit. We will lead them to the cross and we will train them to flee from worldly customs and to live and rejoice in the truth.
Jeremiah 10:2-3a
"Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain...."
Matthew 15:9
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
On this day, I challenge every Christian to be aware, be mindful, and be pure! Be firm, be separate, and be holy. If you are married, rejoice in your spouse, not just this day, but EVERY day! Make each day another beautiful chapter God writes in your love story. If you are single and surrounded by couples, remember your King, Jesus, and find comfort and contentment in His love.
Today, instead of getting caught up in chocolates and teddy bears and roses, I want to draw nearer to my Savior who demonstrated true love 2,000 years ago when He came to this earth. I want to rejoice in my earthly husband that He gave me and rejoice in HIM (Christ) who is everything I need. I challenge you to do the same. Trust in Him, rest in Him, rejoice in Him, and remember that He is who He said He was....
The Great Shepherd. I Am. Our Rock. Redeemer. Savior. Friend. Lord. Companion. Father. Creator. Messiah. The Bread of Life. The Door. The Way. The Truth. Giver of Good Things. Provider. Life. Peace. Wonderful. Counselor. Mighty God. Refuge. Strength. Hope. Joy. Salvation. Comforter. Healer. Just. Righteous.
The Author of Love....and the Lover of my soul.
John 13:34"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
John 14:15
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
1 John 3:1
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."
1 John 4:10
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
No comments:
Post a Comment