As Elijah started to become interested in Sierra (they had already been friends previously), he talked with God about her and God asked, “Is this the one you want?” Clearly his answer was yes and thus the journey to their married life together took its first step.
I picture the Father with Jesus before time on the earth began, asking Jesus the same question as they looked together upon us, his future bride.“Son, is this the one you want?” Father asks.
With love in his heart, Jesus responds, “Yes, Father, she’s beautiful! I want her!”
After a weighty pause, Father continues “It will cost us everything.”
Through tears, Jesus whispers, “I know, Papa. She’s so worth it!”
As is typical with many courtships, Elijah was the one pursuing Sierra initially—not that she didn’t notice him, but she wasn’t quite ready for a relationship at first. Her heart needed some convincing along the way.
Jesus, our Groom and Good Shepherd, chases after us with his love and tender mercies every day of our lives (Psalm 23:6). Our eager response, or lack thereof, will never alter his choice to continually pursue us with his good and kind heart. Jesus knows our frail hearts need convincing and he’s all to happy to show us his devotion as we can hear in these words from Jesus to you from the Song of Songs:You are so beautiful—you are beauty itself to me! Your eyes glisten with love, like gentle doves behind your veil. What devotion I see each time I gaze upon you. When I look at you, I see your inner strength, so stately and strong.(4:1,4)
Jesus sees in you what you don’t see in yourself!Now you are ready, my bride, to come with me as we climb the highest peaks together. Come with me through the archway of trust…for you reach into my heart. (4:8-9)
This is the invitation to do all of life together, forging a deep trust that sometimes has to wind its way through self-awareness that he will bring to you.
What a perfect partner to me now that I have you. I can’t resist the passion of these eyes that I adore. Held captive by your love, I am truly overcome! I could have chosen any, but only one is my beloved dove— unrivaled in beauty, without equal, beyond compare, the perfect one, the only one for me. (4:12; 6:5,8-9)
Wow! How it is that we are, and always have been, his choice?!
And just as Sierra opened up her heart to Elijah over time, the more we encounter the genuine love and kindness of Jesus, the more our hearts open up to see and believe, He is the One we’ve always wanted!
We respond to Jesus just as the Shulamite Bride did in the Song of Songs:You have reached into me to unlock my heart. How my soul melted when you spoke to me! You alone are my beloved. You shine in dazzling splendor yet you are still so approachable—without equal as you stand above all others. If you ask me why I love you so, it’s because there is none like you to me. Everything about you fills me with a pure desire! And now you are my beloved—my friend forever. Now I know that I am filled with my beloved and all your desires are fulfilled in me. (5:4,10,16; 7:10)
When we only know about Jesus, we’ll get caught up in religion’s snare, but falling in love with Jesus is another world altogether!
This would be a great time to exchange your vows of love and devotion to Jesus!
Jesus: Fasten me upon your heart as a seal of fire forevermore. My love is stronger than the chains of death and the grave, all-consuming as the very flashes of fire from the burning heart of God. (8:6)
You: As for my own vineyard of love, (which are the deepest places of your heart) I give it all to you forever, my beloved, one with me in my garden. (8:12-13)
Jesus: Arise, my darling! We will dance in the high place of the sky. Forever we shall be united as one! (8:14)
May I encourage you to take time right now with the Lover of your Soul, Jesus?
With Love,
Brent |
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