Craving Love

In the movie, Forrest Gump, a memorable quote by Tom Hanks referenced chocolate. “Momma always said life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Hmmm… true, but for me, life is chocolate… can’t’ do without it.

Chocolate… just seeing or hearing the word creates movement in my stomach muscles. I am by my own definition a “chocolateholic.” I realize that word may not exist, but I crave chocolate. My love affair with the delightful delicacy keeps me running. I eat chocolate… I run. I run… so I can eat chocolate. Addiction? Probably.

However, working in the pharmaceutical industry in my earlier years, I learned that researchers believe chocolate addiction might be found in a chemical called phenylethylamine. Our bodies naturally produce this chemical which births a sense of contentment and pleasure. When we fall in love with something or someone, our bodies release phenylethylamine, and the majority of us, if not all of us, love to fall in love. This may be an explanation for the craving of chocolate.

Even though I love chocolate, I prefer certain types or brands. I prefer milk versus dark chocolate (regardless if dark proves to be healthier). My favorite brands are Hershey’s, Ghirardelli, and Lindt. I tend to stay faithful to those brands because I know what I will get. I hate pinching or biting into pieces of candy to figure out the filling inside, whether it tastes good or disgusting. I related this to the love found in Christ.

See, Tom Hanks was right… you never know what you’re gonna get with a box of chocolates. But with Christ, you don’t have to guess. You ALWAYS know what you get! He is who He says He is and you get His perfect love.

So, do we crave Jesus’ love like we crave chocolate or anything else that we feel we can’t do without? Do we crave a consistent and eternal love that tastes so good? Psalm 34:8 says, “O, taste and see that the Lord is good.” Just as we love to fall in love, Jesus desires for us to love to fall in love with Him, simply because He is so in love with us.

If you crave real love, you can’t find it in a box of chocolates. God is love. Yes, He created the chocolate and our bodies to respond to its effects. But He remains the source of all love. He knows we need love, but without Him, love does not exist. He loves us completely despite all our disgusting inside fillings. And His love will always be permanent and eternal… not like the temporary feeling that a piece of chocolate offers.

I am so glad I don’t have to look for love or ever lose it. My love affair for Jesus proves so much greater than a temporary fix from a piece of chocolate. Yes, I will continue to eat chocolate because I love the taste and it serves as a reminder of how God’s Word tastes so much better.

I don’t know about you, but just as I feel I can’t do without chocolate, I know that I cannot do without Jesus’ love. His box of chocolates… His Word… fills me with so many pieces and nuggets of love. And no matter which piece of scripture I bite into, it brings delight to my soul. I crave Him, so my love affair with His Word keeps me running back for more. I eat it and run this race in life. I run this race because I eat His Word. Addiction? Yes. Why? Simply…

Happy Valentines Day