Between red roses, pink boxes and dark chocolate, the month of February is dedicated to the holiday of love. There are a few legends of who Valentine’s Day might be named after, but the most common story is of Saint Valentine. In order to strengthen his army, Emperor Claudius II declared marriage illegal in ancient Rome, History explains. Valentine combated this injustice by continuing to perform marriage ceremonies for young couples in secret. After Claudius discovered this, the saint was beheaded on Feb. 14—Valentine’s Day.
Because of his valiant efforts, Pope Gelasius honored Valentine and initiated the first holiday. Geoffrey Chaucer added to the allure of the holiday, writing a romantic poem dedicated to the day in 1375.
Single people often feel overlooked and lonely on Valentine’s Day. Since the pandemic, singles have been on a fierce quest for love. Psychology Today explains that the amount of people on dating apps increased by 18.4% since 2019. Clara Artschwager, a dating coach, says that the pandemic forced people to come face to face with their mortality. Isolation and loneliness crept in, leading to an increased desire for romance.
Even though loneliness seems like a depressing reality, singles can welcome the day with joy and excitement—because they are loved by God more than they could ever imagine.
GOD’S PLAN
The first line of “Jireh” by Elevation Worship says “I’ll never be more loved than I am right now.” As the song progresses, the singers state that “I’m already loved, I’m already chosen.” In the context of Valentine’s Day, those words become significant to the holiday—no matter relationship status, each person is abundantly loved by the Lord.
In his piece for The Gospel Coalition, Matthew Westerholm says that “true love is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ the Lord.” In that relationship, there is purity, freedom, joy and safety. Relevant Magazine explains that single people can take two approaches to the holiday. The first leads to despairing feelings while the second leads to peace.
“We know our worth does not rest in these heart shaped chocolates or the affections of another, and we continue to put our energy into living boldly, fiercely and free, seeking to show Christ to others in our day to day actions,” the article says. “Occasionally we may feel a little discouraged, but Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be a reminder of what we don’t have, but rather a reminder of how much we have to bring to the table and the love already present in our lives.”
A major theme in the Bible is love. 1 John 4:9-12 says that “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us.”
YOUR PLAN
Some practical ways to spend the day range from a movie marathon, dinner with friends or a visit to the gym or spa. Some might choose to surround themselves with loved ones or pass the day working and completing errands.
No matter how the day is celebrated or even looked over, God’s love and acceptance extends far beyond the holiday—regardless of relationship status.
