Dear Romantic | Rewrite Love

Dear Romantic,

To tell the truth, Valentine's Day never meant a lot to me.  I grew up dreaming of a Prince Charming who would sweet me off my feet.  I longed for the bosom friend who knew my deepest secrets and Loved me just the same.  But it was a distant dream, something I could only hope for.

I thought feeling alone was natural.  No friend can be with you every moment of the day.  So you hold things in.  The special moments linger inside you with no one to share them with.

And Valentine's Day was just another box to cross off the calendar with a shrug of the shoulders.

Last year, all that changed.  While reading a book, God opened my eyes to who He truly was.  And I realized my error - I was seeking an earthly hero when I already had a heavenly Prince.

My thinking changed.  I began to read Song of Solomon as Love letters between me and Jesus.  The promises in Isaiah became more real.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name;

You are Mine.

...I will be with you...

Since you were precious in My sight,

You have been honored;

And I have loved you.

- Isaiah 43:1-2, 4

For your Maker is your husband,

The Lord of hosts is His name;

And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;

He is called the God of the whole earth.

- Isaiah 54:5 

I was a princess, treasured and Loved by my Prince.  As His Love began to touch every area of my life, I recorded the beauty of His Love through a story that meant much more than a story in my life.

What's the point of me telling all this to you?  I want you to realize the eminent beauty of His Love.  I want you to not accept less than the wonderful plan He has for you.  I want you to see yourself as a princess who is Loved by a Prince, despite your flaws and weaknesses.

A friend shared Isaiah 58 with me recently.  One verse stood out specifically to me.

‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen?

Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?'

- Isaiah 58:3

So often as Christians, I believe we see our faith as a list of works we need to complete.  We fast, pray, read our Bibles, and go to Church because it's something we're supposed to do.  If we don't, we'll feel guilty.

But God has so much more for those who Love Him.

He's a loving Father who wants us to be willing to sacrifice anything because we Love Him that much.  But that's not the point of being a Christian.

Isaiah 58 continues on to say what God's really seeking after.  He wants us to truly Love others - to loose the bonds of wickedness, undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that we break every yoke.  (verse 6)

And then the glory of the Lord will surround us.

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'

- Isaiah 58:9 

He's waiting for us to call out to Him.  He's the Friend we've been longing for.  He's our Protector, Lover, and Savior.  He knows all our secrets and doubts and fear and Loves us just the same.

Being a Christian isn't about living as a slave.  It's about loving Someone so much that nothing else matters.  And through all the trials we face, He'll be by our side giving us victory, hope, and a future.

We'll have hard times.  We'll have to sacrifice ourself.  But we'll be delivered.

Dear Romantic, Jesus gave us the most beautiful Love story.  He will never leave us or forget us or fail to hear our prayers.  He gave up what was most precious to Him to save us - that's real romance.

I challenge you to give your Valentine's Day to Him.  Live it for Him.  Say "yes" to His prodding.  And remember that His salvation will be forever.  (Isaiah 51:6)

How are you going to give yourself to your Prince?  What are practical steps you can take to rewrite Love and be set-apart for Jesus?  Let's live this out together.

I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.

- Song of Solomon 6:3

'For the mountains shall depart
And the hills be removed,
But My kindness shall not depart from you,
Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,'
Says the Lord, who has mercy on you.

- Isaiah 54:10

~♥~

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