In the story of Hosea and Gomer, God tells Hosea to marry a prostitute and Gomer is the lucky one. They marry, have children, and Gomer is unfaithful. She runs off and carries on with other men. She leaves the security and love of Hosea and returns to her old life of sin. But God tells Hosea to go after her; to taker her back and love her. This love is the love God has for us.
Even though Gomer married Hosea and had his children, she wasn't really "present" in the marriage. She did not commit to Hosea. She did not work on the relationship. She just went through the motions. Sometimes we are guilty of the same thing. We go to church and sing the songs and say the prayers, but really our heart is far away. We just go through the motions, week after week, doing our duty without investing ourselves, heart soul, mind, and body. What we need is the kind of love God shows us through Hosea.
We need a sacrificial love. Real love is not always easy. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes we are disappointed. But real sacrificial love is the kind of love we are called to. This kind of love is worth the effort, because the fruit it brings is abundant and there is great power in it.
We need a relentless love. God loves His creation and draws it to Himself. He is not after condemnation. He is all about restoration and renewal. No one has run too far from the Lord to be restored to Him. This is the kind of love God wants us to have for Him. He wants us to hunger and thirst for Him. To long for Him. To desire Him above all else. He wants our love...a relentless love.
It's this kind of love that truly makes the world go around. We may write romance and happy endings, but we must always remember the wooing of God's great love. He is the lover of our souls and the One who writes the best love story of all.
So tell me, what do you do to remember His relentless love? How do you work on your love for Him? Or, who in your life shows you God's love best?
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Sherrinda Ketchersid
Beautiful post today!! I love how he continually pursues our hearts despite our unfaithfulness. No greater love than that. And I loved Redeeming Love. Who doesn't love a good allegorical romance. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy. I love allegorical romance too. So rich and deep. I really need to go back and read Redeeming Love.
ReplyDeleteRedeeming Love is my favorite book ever! =) It was the highlight of my blogging career when I got to feature Michael Hosea, LOL. I see God's love best through my sisters in Christ. Especially when they're not afraid to tell me truth in love, even when it isn't what I want to hear. My favorite time to just "be" present with the Lord is to put on a special worship playlist I have, turn the lights out and curl up in my reading/praying overstuffed chair and just listen.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Sherrinda!
ReplyDeleteNancy, you featured Michael Hosea??? Oh my!!! How awesome!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing it must be to have sisters in Christ who can be real with you. That is such a gift.
Thank you for sharing...I may have to go search for that Michael Hosea feature! ;)
Thank you, Susan Anne. You are always so encouraging. :)
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