Daily Reading: 14 February

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

Heart-felt love

Something to read

With my whole heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments. I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.

- Psalm 119:10-11.

Something to think about

I hope that biology teachers up and down the land are today assigning their classes the task of drawing anatomically correct hearts on Valentine’s Day cards, with bonus points awarded for a great science pun.  

Although its true function is to pump blood around the body, the heart has long been symbolically connected with desire and love. The shops are full today of cards and gifts by which people may express heart-felt love for boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses, or even pets for those so inclined.

You probably won’t find many cards addressed to God! But the Psalmist is quick to locate his devotion to God in his heart. His love for God is an intense driving force, sending him outwards to discover more of God’s goodness and kindness, and to learn how God would have him speak and act in the world. He returns inwards, to store and treasure the insights he’s found that will help him better love God in future, and to delight in the loving instructions he’s received.

Whether you’re madly in love, tending a broken heart or deeply cynical about the commercialisation of love by big businesses, today is as good a day as any to turn our hearts towards God.

Something to do

Watch this short video by the Bible Project on the biblical Hebrew meaning of the heart.

Something to pray

Loving God, thank you that you know me and cherish me. Help me to rest in your love today, and to seek you and love you with my all my heart. Amen.

Today’s contributor is Rev Claire Jones