If you haven't read my blog entry titled "Divine Romance", this is the continuation of that, just so you know. You can find the link here on my blog sight.
One of the scriptures God kept showing me the most during the 7 weeks of dates with Jesus was Isaiah 62:5. Its states, As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
At first thought, it was hard to believe that the God of the universe would rejoice over me. Yet as I continued to meditate on that truth and ask God to open the eyes of my heart, my thinking began to shift. If His Word says it, it must be true. I chose to believe. I began to believe it the more I meditated on it over time, eventually I felt more loved and cherished that I ever really had.
Embarking on a romance with God was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I let Him in and I chose to let His Word be considered as truth. God began to heal my wounded heart and fill me with His incredible, powerful love.
In 2 Corinthians 5:15 it says, Those who lived should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. I remember trying to do this--to live for God, to make Him happy, to do the right things. For me it was religion; performance-based. But I continued to fail and get discouraged. I realized I couldn't do it in my own strength ( A LONG and difficult journey to realize this truth..). I am a firm believer, as a teacher, that often some of the greatest mistakes we make, teach us the most profound lessons.
How can I live for you God? I would ask. It wasn't until I really let Him in to love me and to heal the wounds and scars of my heart ( those deepest/darkest rooms of my heart where I was broken and afraid), that I felt inclined to love Him back. Knowing the power of His Love, and recognizing why He died for me as He restored me, caused me to desire living my life for Him. It was the least I could do.
After this intense journey I have been on with God, I consider myself married to Him. He is my bridegroom. Am I tempted to throw that away at times and take some detours, compromising my beliefs and expectations? Oh yeah! I'm human--look around at this world we live in. There are often times that are more difficult than others, in regards to my singleness and temptations. But I have realized those are times that I have to guard my heart, bask in God's truths and talk to other believers about my struggles. Sometimes guarding your heart is a battle, but it is a battle worth fighting for (YouTube Chris August's Battle...so appropriate here).
2 Corinthians 5:9 states So we make our goal to please Him. This is the focus of my life. Some people question me, you really believe living for something other than yourself, your desires and feelings, is worth it? "OH yeah!" is my response, without hesitation. I lived long enough for myself to know, that kind of life is not the road to eternal life, it is not even the road to Joy. It leaves you empty, unfulfilled and chasing valid needs in all the wrong places. It's lose-lose. I was a mess. For those of you reading this, and know my testimony, you know where I have been , and what God has brought me out of. It's a miracle I am living the way I am. I give all the honor to Him! Since leaving the old life it has not always been easy and exciting to live for Christ. Sometimes it took everything in me: blood, sweat, and tears, to really live for Him. But it takes time, to allow the Holy Spirit to lead through healing, restoration, and community. The perseverance is well worth it. Even when we don't see it at the time of the struggles.
The more we welcome Christ into those dark areas of our souls, the more complete we will be in Him. First we have to give Him the freedom to come in, to break the chains that bind us, to restore us. This is honestly one of my favorite things about God: that He waits for us to invite Him in. He does not force His way. He loves us that much.
As I leave you now, my prayer is that you too would view your relationship with God as a sacred marriage. A bond like no other. Value it, treasure it, and do your best to fight for it, no matter what the world may tell you.
No comments:
Post a Comment