THE MANNERS OF LOVE

Behold what manner of love …1john 3:1

As I set off to work early in the morning my ears drums are inundated with love songs after love songs being churned out by the local radio station another obvious reminder that today is St Valentine’s day; a special day when we are meant to demonstrate love. At first my intention was to write and compile a series of love poems- I mean the type we usually have between a man and woman, when they consumed by an inexplicable attraction to each other. But really what’s all the fuss associated with Valentine’s or lover days. Why should there be just one day set aside to celebrate love; when we choose to send messages or in our own peculiar way show love to our loved ones or to the disadvantaged. Why don’t we just make everyday a Valentine’s Day of some sort, the world would be a much saner place to live.

In our age and time the predominant way and manner it is celebrated vividly reflects what we and society conceive Love to be and what it means to us. From my schooling days till now the course of a typical valentine’s day is so predictable. Starts with the guy wowing the lady with lavish gifts, usually a teddy bear and chocolates are included in the package and maybe an outing somewhere to complement it, and at times it usually climaxes with some brief intimate exchange (to the guy at this point he has scored a winning, for the lady with the cake, other gifts and stories of a splendid outings she becomes the envy of her peers) but really nothing has changed since then has it. I am not really too conversant with the Saint Valentine person, but there is nothing really saintly about it is celebrated today

But really is there more to it, is it enduring and perfect as we make to be, can it be said to be forever. The philos love; refers to love based on friendship, There is the eros love; the type displayed between a man and woman, completely swayed by some kind of drawing and longing for each other, which is over glamorized in most books, magazines and movies we come in contact with. There is the filial love; this is the type of love is based on family affiliation. But are these dimensions of love perfect and forever. Guess not or else we wouldn’t be having stuff like break-ups, heartbreaks, divorce, sibling rivalry, bosom friends turning to enemies.

Some of my favourite references to love are found in the Holy Writ, especially in I Cor 13, it describes the character and colour of love it speaks of a pure unfeigned love that reassures, that has a divine essence to it, a humbling love that is unconditional, meaning that it does not look for suitable conditions but displays it light with the same fervour, irrespective of circumstance, favourable or favourable, returned or not. G.K Chesterton once said ‘love means to love that which is unlovable; or it is no virtue at all’. It does not offer from leftovers, but delves into it very best (God gave his own son) and it is best displayed through actions. it ends in the most profound way by placing three very desirable virtues ( faith, hope, love) side by side and reaches the unanimous conclusion that Love is the greatest- Agape Love. Truly as John said ‘What manner of love is this…

I really do not have an appropriate ending, but in this season and spirit of today it is important to remember what really love at its best is all about and can be like; not a day but an everyday, not just emotions but actions, not just a fleeting thought or state but an attitude

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
Ayo Akinwale