For the love of it!

It's the season of love, with St. Valentine’s Day cards and presents being advertised on TV and in the card shops. We are thinking of our loved ones, and trying to make sure that they have a special day. It's important to remember little things like saying ‘I love you’ which we can all do more often.

Love – has many facets – the passionate love of a girl and boyfriend, or of a newly married couple. The strong and steadfast love of an older couple reaching their Golden wedding anniversary. The love a mother has for her children, and the selfless love of a child caring for a parent in later years.

All of these things should be remembered in this month of love. It's amazing what people will do for love – as well as buying expensive presents and cards – people are inspired to write beautiful poetry, songs and music, as well as more basic things like doing someone’s shopping or cleaning up after them. These are all acts of selfless love.

Why do we do it? For love. Sometimes we just do things because for the love of doing things – which is the origin of the word Amateur. The word amateur is an old French word that comes from Latin word ‘amator’, a lover. Nowadays we tend to think that an amateur is someone who isn’t particularly skilled or accomplished at anything - but just having a go. Given the choice we want a professional doing the job for money, rather than someone who does something for the love of it.

But I’m not convinced about the ‘professionalism’ of our current day – where we need certificates, police checks and vetting to do anything. I think we need to re-discover the value of amateurs, in the original sense of the word – those motivated by love. Whether it's working for the good of children, or helping older people, or because we love teaching and sharing our knowledge and experience.

One of our priorities for 2011 is to re-think how we use our time and talents – for God and for each other. Time and again I meet people who would like to do things, but feel they are not good enough – not professional enough. But it's important to have a go, and to take something on even though we’re not particularly good at it – but because we love doing it.

May the love of God motivate us to acts of generosity and service, towards each other and for the glory of God. I hope this won't be grudgingly, but lovingly, as a true amateur.