Doug Van Pelt

Happy Valentine's Day

This goes out to all the lonely lovers, who see couples hold hands and beg the question, 'Why not me?' To those who have heard the voice (in their head): 'I'm too fat, too skinny, too old, too plain, too this or too that.' All those kinds of condemning thoughts are lies we needn't mind. There might be a husband or wife who doesn't feel appreciated, cared for, or feel their 'needs aren't getting met.' All the hurt and pain from these type of thoughts can be hard to deal with. Just listing them (or calling them) out is intimidating, because getting attention might cause hope to spring up and ... someone (sure) better deliver! I remember having a small group (we called it "home church") at my house many years ago, and one week we were going to discuss deliverance. One of my friends, who was kind of like a deacon, leaned over to me and "warned" me against bringing up a subject like this and getting someone's hopes up but not offering what they need. He was refering to one girl in particular who, I think, was cutting herself and very much in need of the kind of deliverance and freedom we were talking about. My thought then (and now) is: 'Jesus can deliver. This freedom is found in Christ and He won't let us down.' If we realize how valuable we are to God (He formed us in our mother's womb. He paid for our salvation with the murder of His only Son.), then we might start to understand that those condemning words are indeed lies. None of us are perfect and all of us are in need of improvement, but none of us are junk or worthless. We are treasures.

I admit that I'm a softee and that I do (gasp) even enjoy romantic comedies and romantic movies. One common ingredient in just about every "love movie" is that scene where, after love is found and then somehow love is lost, that one character runs/goes after the love he/she has "lost." There is usually a scene with no dialog, with just music turned way up as the person drives past the countryside, runs through a crowd, or somehow pursues this love with all his/her might. The music swells and the emotions rise as you see (and appreciate) the feelings of longing and the pursuit of love. The audience begins hoping that they'll find resolution. This, I believe, is how God pursues us. It's as if we are the only person on the planet for Him. He hounds us and pursues us to win our affection. I really believe that He cares for us and that we are His treasure.

1 Thessalonians 5:9:

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Posted by Doug Van Pelt at February 14, 2006 08:41 AM