I’m finally getting around to reading Captivating, which to most of you is probably shocking that I’m only just now reading it. But hey, I’m just starting to become a reader–or shall I say, forcing myself to become one–and I’m a missionary who can’t afford to just go out and buy a ton of books, so give me a break. 🙂 But man, oh man, does it describe my heart to a tee.
Anyway, I just finished the chapter that talks about how God romances us. If you haven’t read it or need a refresher…
Every song you love, every memory you cherish, every moment that has moved you to holy tears has been given to you from the One who has been pursuing you from your first breath in order to win your heart. God’s version of flowers and chocolates and candlelight dinners comes in the form of sunsets ad falling stars, moonlight on lakes and cricket symphonies; warm wind, swaying trees, lush gardens, and fierce devotion.
Especially for me, having grown up in church, it’s so incredibly easy to forget the realness and depth of God’s love for us–and frankly, everything else about Him and His relationship with us; it’s so easy for it lose its power in our lives. Ever since I first heard the song “Wonder” by Bethel shortly before leaving for AMT, that has been my heart’s prayer, that we would never lose our wonder. That we–that I–would never for a moment forget what I am and who I am in His eyes.
I’m currently doing some house-sitting for a few different friends of mine, and I was sitting on the couch doing some homework. The room is bright and colorful with a view to the pretty backyard and pool. Adding to the freshness of the room is a small, potted-tree behind the couch. When I first arrived, there were no signs on the tree as to its type, nor whether or not it was even real–or perhaps I just wasn’t paying attention. But as I sat, I suddenly turned around, and there, right behind my head, was a big, beautiful, bright yellow hibiscus flower. God created nature for us to enjoy. I let out a silent “wow,” both of surprise and wonder. There’s something so lovely about hibiscus.
Upon concluding my work, I closed the tabs and pages on my computer to reveal my desktop, the background of which is one of my favorite pictures I took of Victoria Falls in July, with a double rainbow leading to the rushing waters and clouds of mist. Once again, “wow.”
A little later in the day, I left to run an errand and found myself driving into the sunset. It was nice and made me think of the insanely gorge-ous sunsets night after night over the gorge in Zambia (you see what I just did there).
How many times do we see the beauty of nature–a flower, the beach, a waterfall, a sunset–or perhaps even a painting or work of art and say “wow,” “amazing,” “beautiful,” “stunning,” “gorgeous”? And yet, it’s so hard for us to wrap our minds around the fact that THAT–all of the above combined–is precisely what God thinks when He looks at us.
Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s workmanship. The original Greek word there was “poiema,” which is where we get our English word ‘poem’ and means “work of art.” The New Living Translation reads “masterpiece” and the Voice translation reads “heaven’s poetry etched on lives.”
Even when we screw up. Even when we’re mad at Him. Even when we fall away from Him. His love, affection, adoration remains. To HIM we are captivating.
You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you. (Song of Solomon 4:7)
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
(Isaiah 43:1)I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;[a]
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
(Psalm 139:14)How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! (Psalm 139:17)
Therefore, behold, I will allure her, Will bring her into the wilderness, And speak comfort to her. (Hosea 2:14)
The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
(Zephaniah 3:17)
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