I saw a meme (a picture with a saying or something usually humorous the other day) that said this: "Good judgment comes from experience. And experience? Well, that usually comes from poor judgement." Men, today is Valentine's Day, and if your wife or loved one says, "Don't make a big fuss just because it's Valentine's Day," and you go along with that, read the above quote. Don't say we didn't warn you.
The most important decision you will ever make that has nothing to do with logic, only emotion. I've fallen in love, and she is the one for me. You mull it over with trusted friends. you talk to her dad to seek his permission to ask for his daughter's hand (or a suitable replacement if dad isn't in the picture). Then you ask her and she says yes. Phase two: The marriage. You know, that event that you took maybe less than three months to plan but maybe as much as 9 months. That day that is very much about planning. Where it will be held (for many of us the church, but sometimes other venues)? Who will conduct the wedding (not an issue unless you are of different religions or even faiths, for example I attended a Jewish/Baptist wedding once upon a time)? The bridesmaids, the groomsmen, maid or matron of honor, best man, their outfits (often tied to wedding colors - another decision), day, time (tied to location availability), invite list... you have either experienced this or get the idea.
Then you choose the vows. Those words that creates the marital relationship before God (the marriage license at the end signed by everyone creates the relationship before the eyes of the law I'm guessing). The pastor chooses readings or you give him (or her in some cases) those that are meaningful to you. One, most certainly in every wedding comes from 1 Corinthians 13. "The Love Chapter." While I'm almost certain Paul wasn't talking about marriage, like any artist, once your work is out there it is up for interpretation, and 1 Corinthians 13 has become that for marriages.
So, while you are standing there having just heard a song about love, you continue to stand for an undetermined amount of time to listen to the reading of 1 Corinthians 13. Me? Oh no, we listened to a solo and then had The Love Chapter read while we knelt. "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal," it starts. "...Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast;... Love never ends...." Neither, apparently, is this passage going to end, you think. Why didn't we just pick a few verses? you ask to yourself as you look into your soon-to-be new bride's eyes.
So, to remind ourselves of the love we share, we have set aside a day, once each year, to look back at our bride (or girlfriend), and remember our love. That day would be today, so today we use the devotion to remind ourselves of the love we share with our loved ones, mainly our wives and/or those we love, who may become our wives one day. And remember, if your wife or loved one says, "It's just another day, so don't do anything special for me," ignore it. Don't fall for it. If you haven't learned that by now, you will only make the mistake once. Make sure you at least say, "I love you," today.
Have a great day men.
Hope Men's Ministry
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