Oh, to live in a PINK world!!

Have I your attention? This morning as I logged on to my computer and went to my favourite browser (I know I’m behind the times here) Yahoo Canada, of course, I was impressed by the pink page - in anticipation of Valentine’s Day tomorrow.

Now, I have never been much of a celebrator of Valentine’s Day but my mind went on a tangent when I saw the pink webpage.

Imagine, if the world really loved as implied by Valentine’s Day. Perhaps we are talking about a different kind of love - as celebrated on Valentines, love between spouses, or friends. But even that love among couples could use some work - according to statistics and simply from what is easily seen in our communities.

What I’m thinking, if we, the peoples of this world, loved each other as the Bible commands us, what a different world we would be living in - what a wonderful place for our children.

In my pink world, I would not have to worry about anyone breaking into my house and harming me while I sleep. I received a very helpful e-mail this week from a friend suggesting a easy way to feel safer in my home. But, in a "pink" world, one where people loved one another, I would always feel safe.

We, as students of the Word, always think of Corinthians as the "love chapter" in the Bible and often quote from it when we are considering the topic of love. But it is my contention that the Book of John is the love book - with so many quotes from our Lord contained in it.

Let’s just review a few of them and then I will leave you with your own thoughts of our world, which today certainly is not pink with love for each other. Even in our Christian community, I cringe sometimes when I a fellow Christian slights me in order to put him/herself in a better position. Must not meddle but get on with pointing out some wonderful scriptures.

Of course, the one that is best known and best describes our Lord’s love for every person in the world, is John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Hard to find a scripture which speaks more about love than that one. Books have been written on that scripture. But, suffice to just let it stand with no more comment. Read it again today and let yourself experience His great love again.

Then, of course, Jesus commands us to love as He loves. That, probably, is not possible, but it certainly is something to which we can aspire.

Then you remember the time when just before the Passover Feast, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, John 12: 44,"Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love." I cannot even grasp the extent of His love.

Without going on and on, sharing the hundreds of verses in the Word using the word, "love", let me remind myself, and you, of His commandment to us, John 13:34, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." In September, I did a blog entry referring to the 70's popular song, They’ll know we are Christians by our love" - obviously taking the words from John 13:35, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

And in the next chapter of John, in chapter 14:15, "If you love me, you will obey what I command."

As you prepare (referring to you spouses who have not YET made your purchase the chocolates, or whatever gift you have in mind!!) to celebrate Valentine’s Day tomorrow, let’s contemplate what a pink world would look like as we all love each other in the way Jesus commanded us.

I know Valentine’s is really referring to love between friends, but humour me, and let’s show love to each other the way Jesus loved. Can’t finish without one more reference, at the death of Lazarus, Jesus’ very good friend, here is a comment made by critics of Jesus, John 11:36, "Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"

And then there is the scripture, "preferring one another" - you know the one. And then, and then, there are hundreds . . .

I want to be accused of loving as Jesus loved. Certainly not there yet, so I am writing primarily to myself. Join me in my pink world - where there is a lot more love. Thanks, Yahoo, for reminding me. We hear of the phrase, "not being part of the problem but part of the solution." I want to be one of the painters, painting the world PINK.

Love you all, Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Submitted by Naida