True Love: Beyond the Roses and Chocolates

Valentine's Day is a time for love, but what does true love really look like? Is it just about roses, chocolates, and grand gestures? Or is there something deeper, something more enduring, that defines authentic love?

True love is not about fleeting emotions or superficial attractions. It is a deep, selfless commitment, built on trust, sacrifice, and understanding. As the Bible beautifully puts it in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

These words paint a picture of love that is not quick to fade but remains steadfast and unshakeable, even through the most challenging seasons of life.

The Power of Sacrifice

True love is sacrificial. It means putting the needs of the other person before your own and being willing to make sacrifices without expecting anything in return. This kind of love mirrors the example of Christ, who laid down His life for humanity. In John 15:13, Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

It’s a love that asks, “What can I give?” rather than “What can I get?” True love isn’t selfish—it seeks to uplift, protect, and cherish the other person, even when it’s inconvenient or difficult.

The Unseen Beauty of Everyday Moments

True love is often quiet, found not in grand, dramatic gestures but in the small, everyday moments of life. It’s in the way one person remembers the other’s favorite coffee order or patiently listens after a long day. Love is often best seen in actions rather than words.

One beautiful illustration of this is from the life of Ruth and Boaz in the Bible. Ruth, a widowed foreigner, chose to stay with her mother-in-law Naomi, showing loyalty and love in a time of deep hardship. Boaz, a man of integrity, took steps to protect and provide for Ruth. Their love wasn’t built on grand declarations but on simple, selfless actions. True love is present in these little moments of care.

Endurance Through Hard Times

True love doesn’t give up when things get hard. In fact, it’s in the struggles that love often grows deeper. Think of a tree whose roots grow stronger and more entwined in the soil as the storms come. Romans 5:3-5 tells us, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Love that endures hardship, that forgives mistakes, and that works through misunderstandings is a love that stands the test of time. It’s easy to love when everything is perfect, but true love shines brightest when tested by adversity.

The Ultimate Example: Christ’s Love

The ultimate example of true love is found in the life of Jesus Christ. His love for us wasn’t based on what we could give Him, but on His own unmerited grace and sacrifice. As 1 John 4:9-10 reminds us: “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

This is the truest form of love: unconditional, selfless, and sacrificial. It’s a love that doesn’t demand anything in return but gives freely and without hesitation.

Conclusion:

True love is more than a Valentine’s card or a bouquet of flowers. It’s about patience, kindness, sacrifice, and enduring commitment. It’s the love that chooses to stay when things get tough and seeks to build up rather than tear down. It’s a love that reflects the heart of God—a love that is patient, kind, and unyielding in the face of life’s trials.

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s remember that love is not about perfection but about the willingness to give and grow together. True love isn’t just a feeling; it’s a choice—a choice to love, to forgive, and to persevere, no matter what life brings.

In the words of the great poet, E.E. Cummings: “True love is not so much a feeling as a determination to love someone forever, even through the storms and trials.” True love is the love that lasts—through every season, every challenge, and every joy.