Valentine's Day and Lent


It is interesting to me that these two days - Valentine's Day and the beginning of Lent, should both be today.  

For in my mind, Valentine's Day is all about cards and flowers, chocolate and little conversation hearts - and Lent is all about giving up things to prepare our hearts and minds for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

But at their core - aren't the two days really just about LOVE and SACRIFICE?  And didn't Jesus teach us that those two words SHOULD and DO go "hand in hand"?

Whether our sacrifice is of ourselves -

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship." - Romans 12:1

Or, of the things we own - 

"Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to." - Deuteronomy 15:10

Whether it means we are sharing what we have - 

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." - Hebrews 13:16

Or laying down our lives - 

"Greater love has no one that this:  to lay down one's life for one's friends." - John 15:13

When we love sacrificially - by putting the needs of others before our own - we are living the life God calls us to as Christians.

"And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 5:2




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