Here at PIPC, weekly e-news and monthly newsletters are prepared for our congregation as well as other PIPC friends near and far. Each month in the newsletter, Frank and Carter share a little note in regards to whatever is on their hearts with us in writing. We felt led to post "Carter's Corner" for February with all of you. We love you!
February: Carter's Corner
Didn’t we just have fun throughout the Christmas season? How is it already February? Now, Valentine's Day is right around the corner! Kristin and I have already seen restaurant and store signs advertising “Go ahead and make reservations for your Valentine’s date night here!” or “Come celebrate Valentine’s Day with us!” or “Don’t forget to purchase that special surprise for your valentine.” I’m sure you’ve seen these, plus some others.
As I think about Valentine’s Day and love, I can’t help but focus more on God and God’s love for us. Most of us have memorized John 3:16 at some point or another, or it’s at least a very familiar verse to most folks. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Love is an overused term today. We use love to talk about football, our spouse, pizza, and God. But what if love really was more than “a feeling?” What if love was true sacrificial action? That is what God’s love for us is, a sacrificial action...and HE has demonstrated that to us through His son.
Do you think that in our response to believing that there should be anything less than a sacrificial action, also? John 3:16 says that we must believe, and then we shall not perish. Once again, I think the words “believing” or “believe” can be misused as well. What if believing actually meant that in response to God, we ourselves must have a sacrificial action, too? We know that to believe is an action instead of a feeling. Maybe our faith in God would mean so much more if we actually involved ACTION, instead of just words. What if we could respond to God with sacrificial action, giving up ourselves to believe, love and serve Him?
Remember when you were young and did so much to impress a certain someone? That someone who was your valentine (or you wanted them to be your valentine)? I do. Or what about everyday life even...all that is involved in planning a weekend getaway or getting your house ready to have folks over or...??? What if we put daily effort into loving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? If we did, can’t you picture Him smiling like a proud Father?
