With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, we see and hear the word love a lot. Though this invisible virtue is oft-celebrated and idealized in film, story, and song, it behooves us to apply ourselves to its true meaning. You see, more than feelings, emotions, or romance, love is action, and it becomes tangible as we put it into motion by giving priority to the interests of others. One of the most important ways we do this is by spending time with people. At my Grandpa Schuller’s memorial service, my dad shared a very touching story. He recalled that when he was a little boy, his dad (my grandpa) was preparing to go on a fishing trip with his buddies. As he gathered his gear and waited for his friends to pick him up, my dad started begging to go along. He pleaded with him and said, “Daddy, I want to go with you.” However, my grandpa responded and said, “I’m sorry, son, you can’t go with us today.” When the guys ultimately arrived, my dad persisted in his pleas, but my grandpa took off as planned. Realizing once and for all that he wouldn’t get to go, he sat down on the curb and began to weep. Then, after about five minutes, he looked up through his tears and saw the truck coming back toward the driveway. When it arrived, my grandpa got out, waved goodbye to his friends and said, “Okay son, let’s go fishing.” Even better, that day, he made a promise to my dad that he would never again — as long as he lived — go fishing without him, and that’s a vow he never broke. No matter the age or the season, the two of them shared this special activity, and in their time of togetherness, their love for each other grew stronger.

My friend, your Savior has made you a promise that He’ll never break, and no matter where you go, He will go with you! He delights in being in “the boat” of your life, and He is passionate about spending time in your company. In fact, He invites you to reach out to Him day or night so you can sail into the depths of His affection, whether seas are stormy or calm. As you remain in Him, you learn how to love others, and He inspires you to offer your precious time to the people who cross your path. By intentionally and purposefully putting love into action, you become a fisher of men and women, and the Lord uses you to deliver hope and healing to broken and lonely hearts.