Great Plains Daily Devotional for 2/14/2023

There are so many Bible verses and passages that speak about love and as I began my preparation for writing this, I couldn’t settle on any one that would speak to the ideas surrounding today’s secular and consumer-oriented holiday.

There is the love of God for all of God’s creation because when God created each part of the world, He saw that it was good. There is the love of God for humans who are like lost sheep that God wants to seek out and gather back into the fold. That relentless love that seeks us out even before we know or accept that God wants to be in a relationship with us. 

There is the love between humans in all different types of relationships -- family members love for each other, couples love for each other, the love we can feel for strangers especially when we see someone in need and want to help them in some tangible way. There is love between humans and animals who also become part of our families. 

There is the love we can feel for co-workers, friends, people we see daily or weekly as we go about our lives and develop feelings of love and care for their well-being and what happens in their lives. At several places I have worked I gave out simple Valentine’s Day cards and treats just to let each person know someone thinks about them and cares about their existence. This is something that is simple to do and is also fun and uplifting for the person who does it.

As you go about your day today, think about the scripture verses and passages you can remember about love, maybe jot them down and journal about them during your meditation time - and as you see all of the people in your life today give them some little Valentine’s Day treat, even if it’s just some of your time and attention, so that all of the love that exists in the world can be passed along by your simple actions. 

Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 119:1-8
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Matthew 5:21-37