Who You Lovin', Who You Wanna Be Huggin'?

I initially thought I was going to do a piece titled “The Truth about Valentine’s Day” but there are so many asinine explanations, I couldn’t bring myself to choose one to pick apart. This prompted me to think, and do a little research on Cupid because, well you know, he is big around this time of year (of course). This research caused me to stumble across other gods who are considered “gods of love” who are worshipped in different religions and cultures during valentine’s day… and it hit me!

How perfect is it that the enemy attempt to duplicate the  God of all creation. He who is perfect love with all of these other gods who supposedly offer the benefits of love when all the while…it is the evil one wrapped inside cultures way.

I think we can all agree that no matter what culture, ethnicity, up-bringing, or station of life one is in, people ultimately want to be loved. At the very least we all want to feel as if we are cared for and sometimes, when life gets the best of us, and we are not postured to commune with the Lord, we falter. 

Throughout time the earth has been looking for a way to define love by its own standards, and with this definition, has created a history to include deities to align with our longing for love. 

The Egyptians had Hathor, in ancient Egyptian religion, the goddess of the sky, of women, and of fertility and love. Hathor’s worship originated in early dynastic times (3rd millennium BCE). 

The Greeks had Eros, in Greek religion, the god of love. In the Theogony of Hesiod (fl. 700 BCE) Eros was a god not simply of passion but also of fertility. 

The Romans had Cupid, ancient Roman god of love in all its varieties, the counterpart of the Greek god Eros and the equivalent of Amor in Latin poetry. 

The people of India had Kama, (Sanskrit: “Love,” “Desire,” “Pleasure”) in the mythology of India, the god of erotic love and pleasure. During the Vedic age (2nd millennium–7th century BCE), he personified cosmic desire, or the creative impulse, and was called the firstborn of the primeval Chaos that makes all creation possible.

While this short list is not exhaustive, it is an indication of how we as a people have a plethora of places to gather information regarding love, and though some of these figures may be said to be part of “mythology,” their history has lasted down throughout time. A history, that is made to rival the truth of who love is (as He is a person). 

If you pay attention, you can see where each of these figures intertwine in history and have a very limited reach when it comes to love in these earthen streets. None of what is said goes beyond an erotic love or fertility for that matter…all aimed at fulfilling what is made a necessity in the earth. 

But the love of God…is the farthest reaching, “And we know and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:16) His love is not defined by romanticism (although inclusive) nor is it confined to our humanistic “need” to connect with the opposite gender. His love is sacrificial, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13). The love of God moved Him to remove Himself from His supreme eternal position to take on the likeness of the peasantry of earthen men to die a horrid death for a people whom He knew would NOT love Him back, nor define love the way He does. Never have I seen or heard of cupid doing that. God’s love is unexplainable, “ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43+44). Where they do that?! Only a perfect supreme God, who is the love He embodies, can move your heart to love those that hate you, and according to this realms standards, “chuck your deuce” before the next commercial break! 

The love of God is incomparable, and there is nothing in this world, or any other world beyond, that can compare. So, as we continue throughout the month of February (and prayerfully the rest of our lives) let us remember to live from His point of reference when we consider love of self, loving others, and ultimately loving the Sovereign.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Kama". Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Sep. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kama. Accessed 31 January 2023.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Eros". Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Dec. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Eros-Greek-god. Accessed 31 January 2023.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Cupid". Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cupid. Accessed 31 January 2023.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Hathor". Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Dec. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hathor-Egyptian-goddess. Accessed 31 January 2023.