Love: It Isn’t in the Cards

I have a confession to make.  I felt sorry for myself today.  Worse, I almost missed an important message.

I was standing in the greeting card aisle of my favorite Christian bookstore choosing Easter cards for some family members.  My eyes ran across a particularly pretty card with, “You Are Loved” in beautiful script across the front.   I picked it up, opened it and began to read.  Don’t ask me why…I’m not married, not in love with someone special I could have purchased the card for. 

Reading that card was like reading someone else’s mail.  It wasn’t for me.  In the moment, though, I wished it could be.  All those intimate words poured out with the intent of speaking to the heart of a loved one were wasted without someone to send them to me.  The tenderness of the message purchased to show another how precious she is held no special meaning for me.   My heart felt more than a twinge of disappointment as I acknowledged the words were not meant for my eyes, nor for my heart.

For the most part I am at peace about being a single adult.  But every once in a while…like when reading that card…I think being single sucks and I begin to feel sorry for myself.   I thought, “Nobody is going to tell me he loves me, no one is going to make me feel special or treasured.”  Quickly, I took my thoughts captive before a full-fledged pity party ensued.  Quietly, I placed the card back in the rack.

Then I looked around.  This Christian bookstore was strewn, wall to wall with the message of Easter.   HE IS RISEN! 

More than some sappy words in a greeting card, the message is one that echoes through the very soul of a true believer…Jesus the Messiah was crucified, died and rose again because He Loved Me.  He didn’t purchase a pretty piece of cardstock for me; He purchased my Life and my eternal destiny.  The price He paid to show me just how precious and treasured I am cost Him everything.  Jesus Christ gave his life so I might know that I am loved.

“Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions…” Ephesians 2:4-5

“I love you with an everlasting love…” Jeremiah 31:3

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1

“Though the mountains move and the hills shake, my love for you shall be immovable and never fail…” Isaiah 54:10

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life…” John 3:16

To an unbeliever, reading these words can feel like reading someone else’s mail.  Don’t miss the opportunity to help someone personalize the message of Christ.  Invite a lost friend or family member to join you for an Easter service this weekend. 

Beyond this weekend, don’t miss the opportunity to send out the message of Christ everyday by living a life which reflects gratitude for His magnificent sacrifice.  It is up to us who know Him to bring His message of hope to those who so desperately long for someone to tell them “You Are Loved.”