LOVE DARE

Did you know that this is the month of “Love”? The stores are stocked full of candy, flowers, chocolates, and big heart balloons. The color red is everywhere. The greeting cards are even positioned close to the front of the stores, so no one will forget the big event. It is monumental. If you have found love and forget this day, the world as you know it may never be the same. The big day I am speaking of is “Valentines Day.”

One day each year is set aside for us to lavish our love on the one we hold dearest. We are encouraged to give cards, buy chocolates, eat out, and be romantic. It is as if society is so love starved all year long, that this is their attempt to remind themselves to show love and appreciation to those closest to them.

I sat in a drive-thru recently and watched as a young man rode his bike with a huge red helium filled heart balloon attached to it in the middle of winter. Undoubtedly, he was on a mission to deliver a token of his love to his sweetheart. What extravagant measures will we take to show our love to others? Imagine what could happen if instead of waiting for February 14th each year to show our love to others, that we did it early.

I want to challenge you this month to a “LOVE DARE.” I dare you to express love to those closest to you more than one day this year on purpose. Instead of waiting for Valentines Day next year to show love to someone, I dare you to make it your goal this year to love beyond the “love month.”

Here is an idea… how about making every 14th of the month your Valentines Day? Wouldn’t it be awesome to take this challenge each month and be able to say next year this time that you showed love to others all year long.

Who could you show love to this year on purpose? Think about it. Could you show love to a friend, a family member, a neighbor, or a co-worker? How could you creatively show them love? Have fun with it! Surprise them, shock them, make them wonder why you are doing what you are doing out of the blue.

What could showing love to others look like? …saying “I love you,” giving hugs and kisses, doing something nice for someone else… “just because,” sharing kind words with others, and sending an encouraging note just to say a few. Love is not an event that is promoted once a year on a special day. Love is a verb… an action. Listen to what I Corinthians says about love…

“… Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and it’s faith, hope, and patience never fail.” I Corinthians 13:4-7 (GNV)

Make showing love more than a holiday… more than a commercialized expectation… be intentional about loving others for Jesus this year. That is the kind of love that lasts forever.

I dare you to receive God’s love and let Him love through you this year. Your life will never be the same!

Living to leave a legacy,
Julie