Romantic Love vs. God’s Love: A Valentine’s Day Reflection, By Karen Faber

A wooden heart with the cross of Christ at its center, glowing warmly.

Romantic Love vs. God’s Love: A Valentine’s Day Reflection

Valentine’s Day is often filled with roses, chocolates, and heart-shaped cards—a celebration of romantic love that captivates the world. It’s a day when people express their affection through gifts and kind words, cherishing the love they share with a significant other. But as beautiful as romantic love can be, it pales in comparison to the perfect, unconditional love of God.

The Beauty and Limitations of Romantic Love

Romantic love is a gift from God. He designed marriage as a reflection of His covenant relationship with us (Ephesians 5:25), and when expressed with selflessness and commitment, it can be a beautiful blessing. However, human love—no matter how deep—has its limitations. It can waver, disappoint, and sometimes even fail. People are imperfect, and the love between two individuals can be affected by emotions, circumstances, and personal shortcomings.

Too often, the world portrays love as merely a feeling, something that comes and goes with time. The pressure to find "the perfect love" can leave many feeling unfulfilled, especially on a day like Valentine’s Day. But the truth is, no human love can truly satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts. That kind of love can only come from God.

God’s Love: Unchanging, Perfect, and Eternal

Unlike human love, God’s love is constant and unfailing. It is not based on emotions, conditions, or worthiness. Scripture reminds us of this powerful truth:

• God’s love is sacrificial: "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." – Romans 5:8

• God’s love is everlasting: "The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’" – Jeremiah 31:3

• God’s love is unshakable: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers... will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." – Romans 8:38-39

This is the love that truly fills the heart. It is a love that never fades, never disappoints, and never leaves us longing for more.

Finding Fulfillment in God’s Love

For those who are single, Valentine’s Day can be a difficult reminder of what seems to be missing. But the truth is, no earthly relationship can complete us—only God can. He is the source of true love, and in Him, we find everything our souls long for.

For those who are married or in relationships, remembering the difference between human love and God’s love is essential. A marriage rooted in God’s love is one that thrives, because it is based on the unselfish, sacrificial love that Christ modeled for us.