Embrace the Word ~ February 2023

It’s already February! The so-called Season of Love. Florists, candy, and card makers, really “love” this season. Love is one of the most abused and misused words. Love can mean ‘to feel deep affection for,’ and it can also mean ‘to like or enjoy very much.’ Therefore, I used the same word to describe my feelings for my husband (‘I love you’) and my feelings for tacos (‘I love tacos’)! So many uses for the same word has the potential of lessening its impact.  

Then there’s the fact that it is so easily thrown around nowadays. Some fall madly in love today and feel totally indifferent tomorrow. Not to mention the opposing ways “love” is expressed today. Showy, flashy, inappropriate expressions can leave us all confused. 

Take heart! We do not have to lean on our own understanding or on the world’s definition of love. Our Heavenly Father has shown us real love. His love is not limited to our fickleness and vain expressions. He is love, and true love can only be found in Him. He modeled love for us! In the most beautiful expression of love, God gave His Son, Jesus. In the greatest demonstration of love, Jesus gave His life. We know love only when we know God.  

We are not left with a wavering definition of love. God’s Word helps us understand love and how it is rightly expressed. We are compelled by God’s great love and Jesus’ great sacrifice to love one another. It’s how the world knows that we belong to Him.  

Each February, we dive into God’s Word and explore the theme of love. Each year takes shape differently, and our hearts are stirred anew! Our Embrace the Word theme this February is “All About Love.” We will dive into the Word and explore these subthemes: “God’s Love,” “For God So Loved, He Gave,” “Jesus’ Great Love,” and “Love One Another.”  

We will explore beautiful passages like:  

• Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:7-8

• For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

• Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13

• A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34

Follow along for weekly inspiration from God’s Word that is “All About Love,” too! In addition, join us for the Out Love Challenge. Throughout the month, we will look at ways to OUT LOVE one another, being “motivated and inspired by God’s love for us.”  

Grab a friend and join us as we Embrace the Word. You can join us in the Sparrow’s Song Facebook Group here, follow us on Instagram, for more content. 

Hey, friends! I’d love to hear from YOU! Your kind words and encouragement are so greatly appreciated. I’m here for you too. If you need prayer, encouragement, mentorship, or anything (!) I’m just a message away! 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13