Valentine's Day Twist

So the story goes, in the year 287 AD (or so), St. Valentine was beheaded by the government of Claudius the Cruel.  Claudius had seen his armies struggling to keep soldiers and blamed it on their hearts.  He felt that men stayed home with their wives and children, so he banned all marriages.  Valentine continued performing these marriages in secret, and was then imprisoned and killed.  

Not exactly what Hallmark has in mind, I'm sure, as we rush off to pick up our chocolate and roses.  It isn't a Christian holiday exactly, except for those who celebrate the feast of St. Valentine.  But, I'm not sure there is more of a Christian holiday than a day about love.  Love is the very core of who God is.  

"So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them."  John 4.16  St. Valentine risked himself for love because God is love.  The biggest risk we have to take most of the time is to be loving, knowing loving behavior may not be returned to us.  It sounds easy, but it can feel like standing on the edge of a cliff.  

But don't lose your head! (Too soon?) Because God's love is enough to sustain us, and knows all about unrequited love.  Love God more today, and love others more bravely.