The Valentine of Agape

As the year 2016 moves along, we presently just celebrated Valentine's Day - a day set apart to honor love and romance, typically celebrated on February 14th and named after a Christian martyr, Valentinus.

There is a quote by Lao Tzu that says, "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."  This brings to mind how 1st Corinthians in chapter 13 describes love - being patient, kind, not jealous nor brags.  It is not proud, rude or selfish.  It does not get upset with others nor hold grudges.  It takes no pleasure in wrong doings but rejoices over truth.  Love accepts, hopes, trusts and endures and never ends.

It does give you strength to know that you are loved by such a Divine wholeness having these qualities interwoven into His character of Love.  Agape, a Greek word that describes the highest form of Love that wipes away guilt, condemnation, fear.  When such a reality happens, a veil is removed to catch a glimpse of this Agape that wraps and raptures you into God's holy presence.  You taste heaven and this taste propels you to fall in love with the Divine.  Such a deep love is exhibited in courage as we continue our journey in this life, carrying the eternal within... our perfect Valentine!

There is an amount of love,

An amount of grace,

beyond all meaning,

beyond all measure.

If we could even grasp it

there would be more pleasure.

There is no greater love than

laying your life down for a friend

if we loved God to a teaspoon

Of His overflowing cup.

What would this world then see?

Our land of sorrow and turmoil,

would swirl to a community of joy.

What would the world then see?

Open our eyes to glisten!

Open our hearts to receive!

And open your mouth to resist

the smile that no one can fathom!

(For Today Agape Lyrics)

Join me at The Turn-Up Patch where we will meet again on Monday, February 29....