This article was included on page 4 in the February 2025 edition of the The Paphos Post.

‘Saint Valentine’s Day’

As Valentine’s Day approaches love, as the song goes: ‘is in the air’. But have you ever wondered what it is that sparks a relationship into life? Ed Sheeran contemplates this in his song ‘Thinking Out Loud’ when he sings: “I’m thinking ’bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways.” And so we do.

In celebrating Valentine’s Day it is worth recognising that love is both sacrificial and costly. Whilst that can be beautifully reflected in a romantic relationship, it is often the unseen sacrificial love of a parent to a child, a friend to another friend, a soldier who lays his life down for a colleague, a fire fighter who risks his life to save a life.

But how much more we need God’s sacrificial love in our lives, both on Valentine’s Day and each day before and after – a love that can melt even the hardest of hearts – as we remember how Jesus laid down his life for us on the cross.

Most psychologists agree that the greatest need of men and women is to love and be loved.  A recent survey found that 78% of people would rather be loved than have money in the bank! Becoming a Christian, and receiving the love God has for us, is the beginning of healing in our lives and the start of the most exciting (and loving) relationship we could ever have.

Although this may sound much less dramatic or ‘mysterious’ than falling in love it is, in the end, of much greater value and is a much better option than giving your heart to someone who may end up breaking it.

Paul is the Chaplain to the Anglican Church here in Paphos and he is always willing to meet up for a chat over a coffee or a beer. Paul has a website revPACman.com where he posts regularly, and he can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and X/Twitter – just search for revPACman!