I’ve been working on a Valentine’s sermon and learning to see the story of the bible as a love story. God pursuing his people passionately, chasing them for a relationship. The struggles of Israel and God are the struggles of man and wife. The struggles between the church and Christ, the struggles of husband and bride. I wrote this to try and capture the essence of that relationship.
You loved me before I loved you. You breathed new life into me, you awakened my soul. We walked together, talked together, lived together. In the beginning, we moved hand in hand.
You rescued me from a life of slavery and pain. You pulled me out of the darkness and into your light. I never could have imagined the depths of your desire for me. You were jealous of me, wanting me to be yours and yours alone. I was made for you, so we came together in our promises.
I was so weak. I am so weak. But you never gave up on me, you kept pursuing me. I wandered, was unfaithful. I couldn’t love you the way you deserved, yet you kept chasing me until I couldn’t imagine life with any other. I found myself captured by your love.
You lived a life pouring out love onto others. In your eyes I discovered grace and beauty. The fullness of your touch healed my wounds. Your sacrifice taught me, inspired me, changed me. I saw your brokenness. That’s when I knew I’d fallen.
I yearn for our hearts to touch, for the fullness of your love poured out. I wait anxiously for the time when we shall be together again. The thought of being in your presence weakens my knees. I long for the day that we’re face to face.
May we learn to see our relationship with God not as a distant idol, or a king over his people. Instead, may we learn to live in the reality of God as the pursuer of our hearts.
