“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
–1 John 4:7-8 (NLT)

Have you ever done something really radical or time-consuming for love, only to learn the relationship wasn’t meant to last? Timothy once got in contact with a girl on the phone who he thought was the perfect girl for him. After they had made several long-distance phone calls, Tim decided to visit her in person, so he headed to Pennsylvania to live in her friend’s camper for a while. But about a month later, she gave him a Braille letter in which she confessed that she didn’t really care about Tim, and their relationship was over. Tim had put his stock into this relationship, but it hadn’t worked out.

This story showcases some of the weaknesses of our earthly love. We have been born as sinners in an already impure world, so we don’t know or understand love in its purest form.

Now I’m not saying that love on Earth is not a wonderful thing. In fact, marriage is said to be an earthly example of the union between Jesus Christ and those whom He calls His own. And who doesn’t enjoy and long for the feeling of being loved by others, especially during this Valentine’s Day week? But all of us fail each other at some point, and so the form of love that we know is imperfect.

But God has demonstrated pure and perfect love for us. God knew and loved each of you before you were even born, and He has promised never to leave or forsake the people He has called according to His purpose. Most of all, God sent His only son to die for us and to bear the weight of all our sins. There is no greater example of love than giving your only son into the world’s cruel hands, in order to save all of God’s people.

This week, I challenge you to keep God’s love in mind. I hope you will grow closer to our constantly loving God during this and every week. If you are willing to accept Christ into your heart, or re-dedicate yourself to Him, then God will accept you into His loving family, and He will never let you go. He promises to care for everyone in His family, and He wants to know about every concern and every triumph in your life. Finally, I hope you will obey God’s commandment and love one another. God wants all of us to love each other, so that we can come to love God even more completely.

None of us has to go to great lengths to prove ourselves to Him, as we sometimes do for each other. All you have to do is humbly dedicate yourself to God, with all your heart.

Thank you for reading this, and may the Lord give you a wonderful week! We are trying to reach people who are hurting, so if God lays it on your heart, please consider becoming a partner with us. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.hcmachaplains.org and click on the Donate Now link. You can also send donations by mail to HCMA (Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association). Our ID number is 560. The address is 377 E. Chapman Ave., Suite 260, Placentia, CA 92870. Finally, check out our online store at www.amway.com/burdicksbargains. In order to support us, please register for free on our store website before purchasing anything. Thank you!

If you have questions, comments or prayer requests for Timothy or Stephanie Burdick, please call 641-715-3900, ext. 874157.