All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me. For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help. I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy. Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban. I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help. I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth… Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak. And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them. They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain. When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them. (Job 29)
So I started thinking about earthly relationships vs. being content with Christ. When you are happy, filled with pure joy, and content in your life it shows that you are living in the center of God’s plans and will for your life. Because true happiness is found by being secure in Jesus Christ.
I use to believe that God took away promising relationships with guys to make me follow Him. Like God was saying, “Oh no, girlfriend…don’t even think about dating him or how could you ever want that…because I need your full attention on me…so I am just going to take this away from you so you have no other option except follow me.”
I believed that’s how God worked until I read Tramp for the Lord by Corrie Ten Boom, and read this…
“God does not take away from us. He might ask us to turn our backs on something, or someone, we should not have. But, God NEVER takes away. However, God gives. If I reach out and take someone for myself and the Lord steps in between, that does not mean God takes. Rather it means He is protecting us from someone we should not have because He has a far greater purpose for our lives” ~Corrie Ten Boom
Then God reminded me of two scriptures and a quote that reinforced this…
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope ~Jeremiah 29:11
But I (God) hold this against you: you have forgotten your first and forever love! ~Revelation 2:4 (paraphrase)
“True love is: unreasonable, undeserved, inconvenient, unpopular, irrational, unfair, and selflessly beautiful…such is the love of Christ”
See whenever I got upset at God for “taking away” promising relationships, what I was really doing was telling God that He wasn’t enough for me. I had forgotten my first love. My one and forever love. I had forgotten my burning love and passion for God and his people. Instead, I was grumbling throughout my day about how “unfair” God was and if He really loved me He would give me what I wanted. (I know…I know. I sound like a three year old spoiled girl—sadly, that’s how my flesh sounded at the time).
I cried out to God: “Please show me your love! Make me completely content in your love”. God answered that prayer way beyond my imagination. In my heart I was only praying for an overflowing cup of God’s love; instead I got an overflowing ocean. The love of God, of my Jesus, is far more than I can ever deserve. What a blessing it is that even though we are sooo undeserving, He still overflows us with His amazing love.
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us ~Ephesians 3:14-20
Our lives here on earth are temporary, in the same way our earthly relationships are temporary. When we are standing before our first love Jesus Christ; I am convinced we will not be thinking of our earthly sweetheart. Since earthly marriages are meant to point to something greater: to be a reflection of our relationship with Jesus.
When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven ~Mark 12:25
God reminded me that earthly love stories can only be as beautiful, powerful, and strong as your relationship with Christ is. Your relationship with Christ is your FOREVER love story. Your earthly love story is only a reflection of your relationship with God. Therefore, if you truly want to have a breathtaking earthly love story doesn’t it make since to devote all your time strengthening your relationship with Christ?
Now my hope is that this would not be your main reason for wanting to grow and strengthen your relationship with God. Because lets be honest now…
Earthly Love story will never come close to a FOREVER LOVE STORY WITH CHRIST
Love this quote: It is a safe thing to trust God to fulfill the desire which He creates ~Amy Carmichael. If you feel that you are called to get married one day, if that is one of the desires God has put on your heart. Then you can trust that He will fulfill that desire in the most beautiful and perfect way! God is using these single years to teach you that marriage is not the answer to happiness or being content. Jesus Christ is the answer.
“Contentment is the product of a heart resting in God. It is the soul’s enjoyment of that peace that passes all understanding. It is the outcome of my will being brought into subjection to the Divine will. It is the blessed assurance that God does all things well, and is, even now, making all things work out for my ultimate good” –A.W Pink
Whenever I doubt God’s goodness or love for me all I have to do if remember that Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit and according to scriptures: …we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. –Romans 5:5 God’s love is within me always. I know I have a never ending supply of amazing God love right in my heart. I have come to understand that real love comes from the heart. It is spontaneous, organic, and not planned. Love is also inconvenient! You can’t plan love. But love is always worth it! Love is powerful. God is love. All good things to remember as we: Answer the call to embark on the Set Apart Adventure.
I love the quote by Amy :) "It is a safe thing to trust God to fulfill the desire which He creates " It just makes me feel good about God and life. <3
ReplyDeleteHeidi, this is simply beautiful. Especially the points about being in LOVE with God, and the quote about God stepping in front of us to keep us safe and in His love. So convicting, extremely well-written, God scripted! I really hope young people in our school read your blog and receive a glimpse of the beauty God can put in one's life.
ReplyDeleteSavannah