A Divine Romance

Hello, everyone, and Merry Christmas! I hope you are all taking time to enjoy this beautiful (although COLD!) time of year.

I have been reminded of something recently that I thought I'd share in this month's blog. Have you ever read the book "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman? It is a great book that discusses the five various ways that we as humans give and receive love. These are, in a nutshell, words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Well, you might have discovered from the stories that my husband shares about me during his messages that he and I have completely different "love languages." My primary love language is "acts of service", while his is "quality time". In other words, when I stay up late to clean the house, do laundry, or work on church projects, in my mind, I am showing him how much I love him by how helpful I can be. While I am doing these things, I am thinking, "Aren't I a good wife and Proverbs 31 woman?" To my surprise, I have come to find out that when he is home and I am busying myself with these IMPORTANT tasks, he is not thinking that at all! In fact, I have even angered him with my busy-ness! My endless labor does not impress him. He simply wants to spend some time with me and leave these things to be done later. Even though this has been difficult for me to learn, I have found that he is the happiest and our marriage is SO much better, if I simply quiet my mind and take time out for him. This is one of the greatest ways that we keep our romance alive. (He has especially been reminding me of this during the last few weeks as I have been preparing for all of the Christmas activities!)

This illustration reminds me of how God feels about us. James 4:5 says, "Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, 'The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously'"? The word "yearns" portrays an intense desire, a craving, a longing or pining for something. The Holy Spirit within us is jealous of the less-important things on which we spend all of our time. He wants us for Himself and it angers Him when we let everything else crowd out time spent with Him in the secret place. He is a Divine Lover, and He desires that the focus of our lives be Him! If they are not, He will aggressively and passionately pursue us, like any lover whose beloved's affections were distracted by something else.

In the hurry of this Christmas, let's purpose to take time everyday with the Lover of Our Souls. This season is all about remembering the perfect plan that He orchestrated over 2000 years ago. As I close, I would like to share some words to a great new Christmas song called "How Many Kings" by a group called Down to Here.

How many kings stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only One did that for me...

He has begun a Divine Romance with us. Let's glorify Him with our lives this holiday season!

Merry Christmas with love,
Pastor Rebecca