Hopeful Romantic…
NB: THE FOLLOWING IS A SUBMISSION BY ONE OF OUR GUEST BLOGGERS AND MEMBERS OF THE JESUS HOUSE CONGREGATION (If you are interested in becoming a guest blogger, please email: communications@jesushouse.org.uk)
I love Him because HE first loved me. What beautiful words meticulously drafted as sweet music for the ears of a hopeful romantic. “I love Him because He first loved me”. Our lives are a series of choices; some so effortless and unconsciously made, others grave and over-bearing but all leading us down that resplendent garden or awful alley that will be our story.
You wake up on a Monday morning – do you choose to grunt at the thought of another unpleasant week at work or do you sigh with the excitement of another opportunity to receive something “o” so unexpected and pleasant which our Lord and our Lover is sending our way? This choice will frame the way you choose your outfit, have your breakfast, and greet the homeless man on your way out of the tube station. The person next to you grunts you a “good morning” and you break out in a smile – Yes, I have chosen to dwell on the Love and my Lover and the butterflies He gives.
There is no good thing beyond or beside Him. There truly isn’t. Solomon thoroughly understood this and has documented his views, very articulately on the subject. You say you want to find love in a man, or want a job that’s divine or maybe it’s those pounds you wish to shed or more cash in your pocket. All valid requirements, even food, clothing and shelter; but none of these of themselves will bring you pure joy when fulfilled – just another futile tick on your eternal to-do list. As soon as one’s achieved, it’s speedily on to the next. Rat race, they say – helter skelter chasing achievements and accolades which lead us to nowhere.
Easier said than done, I can hear you cackle. And honestly, I wholeheartedly agree. Who wants to waste time on Love when what we need is cash to pay the next rent? Or that man to steady that ticking clock. Why focus on Him when what we want is something so pressing, so immediate.. Life cannot just continue as such! Just another day fielding the same job, same problems, the same spots on your face. It’s tough to think about the butterflies from Him when we cannot see nor hear Him with our physical senses. What we need is a tangible release, an emotional connection, something our five senses can wield.
And then I think of Abraham, Our Father of Faith – who grew strong and grew in faith because he gave so much glory and praise. Or is It David, the one who the Lord loved, his psalms and his heart forever present for generations to read. Shall we even look at Paul and his particularly long letters? Who has suffered as much or walked in his shoes? Or maybe the good servant Job, who lost it all on a whim and just because Screwtape was bored? Ah yes, the Bible is littered with Mercy engraved through suffering and tears. Our Lover is a jealous consuming Fire but a still, oh small voice. It’s all about Him from beginning to end. Lean on Him when you wake up, as you move, eat and lay your head down.
When your mind chooses misery, just think on this Love. When its dark and cold outside, feel the warmth of His Love. Are you lonely, deep under those layers? Don’t fret – He will never leave you, talk less forsake you. Confused and bewildered – He is the Lamp unto your feet. Do not worry nor despair because our Lover provides and not just that but according to His riches in glory. Everything belongs to Him, think on that for awhile. Everything comes and will revert to Him, think of that now. The air that we breathe, the life that we live and the money we spend. Nothing is ours,we are simple custodians of His Love and His Gifts.
Oh my Lover of my soul. I thank you today for the gift of my life. I ask you to stay with me, close to my heart. Choose for me Lord as I wake and I walk. Every little thing, please make go, in Your way. Let my desires be Yours and my gifts be Yours too. I’m not strong enough Father to make this alone. You see all my little fears and those awfully large ones too but my heart is Yours, Lord to change as you wish. That heart of flesh Lord – please grant it to me and then send me forth to live in freedom, in joy and in unshakeable peace. I’m not strong enough to suffer as Paul so please garrison me in Your Power through Your blood that was shed when you chose to make me your everlasting bride.
I love, because He first loved me. I will love you because He first loved me. I am a Romantic, yes! Hopeful and bent on Love, Life and Laughs.
