Gò0dNews for Everyone
What’s In Your Candy?
W
by Dr. Alan Hix
hen people think about February, they often
John wants us to know that true love originates from
associate it with Valentine’s Day, and with
God. Without God in the center of our relationships, they
Valentine’s Day comes candy. According to one
will be plagued by selfishness and self-interest. Traditional
news service report, Valentine’s Day ranks third in candy sales, following Christmas and Easter. Anticipation for Valentine’s Day starts early, as I noticed a Valentine’s candy section in a local grocery store two days after Christmas. For those of us who are chocolate lovers, anticipation is a part of the enjoyment. Seeing a nicely packaged, heart-shaped piece of chocolate creates visions of expected delights. On more than one occasion, I have
wedding vows reflect this focus in their language: “We are gathered together here in the sight of God . . .to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.” “With this ring I thee wed . . . in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” These vows remind us that God intended for the
bitten into an enticing piece of chocolate only find that it
union of a man and woman in marriage to be a “holy”
is merely a chocolate shell that is hollow on the inside.
endeavor. For that to happen, God must not only be the
Imagine my disappointment as I realize that the promise
foundation of the relationship between the two, but His
of the candy was more than the reality of what it was—no
presence should flow through all aspects of a relationship.
chocolate center, no cream or caramel filling, not even a
To return to the candy illustration, God should be
cherry—just air.
seen as the filling which gives the candy its full flavor.
People give candy on Valentine’s Day as an
Relationships that are not “filled” with God are hollow
expression of love. Human love can hold
and are based on an empty promise.
the promise of many things, but apart
So, this Valentine’s Day, let us
from God, it is like that chocolate
examine our relationships
heart that is just a shell. The
to see if they are filled
Apostle John addresses
with God’s presence. If
the nature of love in
we find He is not there,
1 John 4:7–8, 12:
let us commit to allow Him
“ Beloved, let
to be the “filling” that
7
us love one another, for love is
gives flavor to our
from God, and whoever loves
relationships. Or to
has been born of God and knows
adapt the tag line
God. Anyone who does not
of a well-known credit
8
love does not know God,
card commercial: “What’s in
because God is love. .
your candy?”
. No one has ever seen 12
God; if we love one another, perfected in us.”
28 // February 2022
About The Author
God abides in us and his love is
Dr. Alan Hix is an Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Shorter University. In addition to being and educator, he has served churches as a pastor, been involved in mission trips to Africa, Canada, and Alaska, and participated in archaeological excavations in Israel for several years.
