What’s In Your Candy?

Gò0dNews for Everyone

What’s In Your Candy?

by Dr. Alan Hix

When people think about February, they often associate it with Valentine’s Day, and with Valentine’s Day comes candy. According to one 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 bitten into an enticing piece of chocolate only find that it is merely a chocolate shell that is hollow on the inside. Imagine my disappointment as I realize that the promise of the candy was more than the reality of what it was—no chocolate center, no cream or caramel filling, not even a cherry—just air.

People give candy on Valentine’s Day as an expression of love. Human love can hold the promise of many things, but apart from God, it is like that chocolate heart that is just a shell. The Apostle John addresses the nature of love in 1 John 4:7–8, 12:

“7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. . . 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”

John wants us to know that true love originates from God. Without God in the center of our relationships, they will be plagued by selfishness and self-interest. Traditional 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 union of a man and woman in marriage to be a “holy” endeavor. For that to happen, God must not only be the foundation of the relationship between the two, but His presence should flow through all aspects of a relationship. To return to the candy illustration, God should be seen as the filling which gives the candy its full flavor. Relationships that are not “filled” with God are hollow and are based on an empty promise. So, this Valentine’s Day, let us examine our relationships to see if they are filled with God’s presence. If we find He is not there, let us commit to allow Him to be the “filling” that gives flavor to our relationships. Or to adapt the tag line of a well-known credit card commercial: “What’s in your candy?”

About The Author 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.

1507 N Tibbs Road Dalton, GA 30721

Call Us Today! 706.226.9579

Amanda Johnston

Mortgage Banker

6573 Hwy 41, Ringgold, GA 30736 706.974.9680

mps.usa-mortgage.com/AmandaJohnston.html

238 N HAMILTON STREET, SUITE 1, DALTON, GEORGIA 30720 706.278.9930 | uniksweetdelights.com