FATHER/DAUGHTER
As we realize and accept the truth that we are not just God’s lump of clay, sheep, servant, or even friend, but also God’s very own child, we can experience tremendous healing from childhood wounds and disappointments. We can allow God to be the Father or Mother (He possesses the good qualities of both genders) that we so needed or wanted. We can be free from the burden of trying to perform or produce for Him when we understand that He loves us not for what we do but because we are His daughters. As wonderful and healing as a father/daughter relationship is, the groom/bride relationship promises the most intimate connection of all.
GROOM/BRIDE
Once a woman becomes a bride, the focus of her life and priorities change, and all other people and priorities pale in comparison to her primary love relationship. Again, this metaphor illustrates a much deeper truth—God desires for us to love Him passionately, to find it delightful to simply be in His presence, and to know Him personally both publicly and privately. He longs for our focus and priorities to become aligned with His.
God has always longed for this kind of relationship with His chosen people. He said through the prophet Hosea, “I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord” (2:19-20).
God extends to us an eternal commitment of love, a love so deep, so wide, and so great that we cannot possibly fully understand it. This gift should inspire us to reciprocate with as equal a gift of love as is humanly possible. What started out as an engagement relationship between God and His own in the Garden of Eden will come to fullness at the wedding supper of the Lamb when Jesus Christ returns to claim His bride, the church.
So how can you cultivate a bridal love for Jesus and enjoy this intimate relationship that He longs to have with you? By falling in love with Him and attempting to pursue Him as passionately as He has been pursuing you all along.
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3 comments:
LOVE this!
Totally love it. I think more so because I really needed to be reminded of it today and the past several weeks.
Good timing, Lord! As always! :)
And I'm stunned that you found/made the time to post again, plus a shout out to Bubbsy. :)
Happy Birthday, Kev! You're 3!! Dude, you're a super big kid now! Awesome!
Loves.
I absolutely love what you've written here! That scripture in Hosea is one of those words that IS MINE!!!
I should mention here again, as I did before, that these are not MY thoughts. These are thoughts are excerpted from the book "EVERY YOUNG WOMAN'S BATTLE."
And I blogged on the book in spring 2008 and started reflecting on these growth spurts in relationship to Christ again at Easter. See my Easter post.
Anyway, the credit is not mine to take!!! But I do love what the author has pointed out. Indeed, I do.
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