I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me. Song of Sol. 7:10 (NIV)
And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Luke 20:34-35 (ESV)
Lord Jesus, on our calendar today is called Valentine’s Day—a day for celebrating the gift, kindness, and wonder of romantic love—a love for which we give you thanks and praise. Like any of your gifts, romantic love must be guarded, stewarded, and not turned into something ultimate—taking on a defining or debilitating power.
Indeed, on the more important calendar—the calendar of grace, today is the perfect day for coming alive to the only love that is better than life. Your incomparable, immeasurable love for us in the gospel—the love that answers the deep longing of our hearts for fulfilling intimacy, unbroken joy, and eternal completion.
Indeed, no human being (or any number of them), no great romance, no torrid love affair can fill the vacuum inside of us uniquely reserved for you. Our best relationships, and healthiest marriages, are just a hint and whisper of what belonging to you actually means.
Grant us grace to grow a deeper and richer experience of belonging to you, Jesus, for you are the ultimate Spouse, the one we always wanted—the one with whom we will enjoy perfect connection, bliss, and joy forever. Make this good news more than our theology. Make it our doxology—our song of joy and über-delight.
Restore to us the joy of our salvation, and the love we had when we first came to know you. Until the day our betrothal to you becomes the Day of great banqueting with you (Rev. 19), take us farther up and farther into robust relationship with you. May your love define and fuel all our other loves. So very Amen we pray, in your tender and tenacious name.
