Forever-Blooming Lilies

I recently watched a mini-series that featured a dysfunctional romantic relationship that consisted of selfishness, manipulation, jealousy, anger, and the whole cocktail of wickedness. I looked at the female character and I choked a couple of times because what was that she was accepting?

But I kept watching, even when I disagreed with what she was letting happen to her. The man she held onto kept loving someone else and treating her as a second option over and over again. He even got her to agree to a contractual marriage where she had no right to question anything he did! Maybe you are thinking, "Not in this world, and not me!" Right?

*Proceeds to sip litres of tea

What if I tell you that we engage in this kind of dysfunction too many times to count?

What if I told you that every time you choose the temporary highs people, things and places give, you pierce your soul with hot needles over and over again?

Our Lord reminds us in Jeremiah 31:3 AMP of this: "The LORD appeared to me (Israel) from ages past, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you." (emphasis added).

This means that He has chosen to love us with such a love that knows no limits or expiration date. Like forever-blooming lilies, His love is always fresh and ready to be explored.

God's love: Soothing, peaceful, uncomplicated, pure

Even before we loved Him- He loved us.

Even when we sinned consciously against Him- He loved us.

Even when we said He had left us- He loved us.

God never left. He has always been here.

While human love and the love of good things and beautiful places are not inherently wrong, we have somehow found a way of making them definers of our existence. We have idolised human affections, earthly belongings, the allure of regal and the appearance of success. Success is now popularly seen as going viral, having a picture-perfect home, a bunch of stuff and scaringly abundant wealth.

But all these can be destroyed. We have seen natural disasters level the most beautiful ridges and hills. We have seen floods cover the most alluring properties. We have seen fires claim properties worth billions of dollars. Finally and sadly, people don't live forever.

So where does that leave us and our love for the elusive?

An Eternal Love Story

Friend, I would like to take this chance to invite you into the greatest love story of all, the one between you and God. The things you long for are nothing compared to what God desires to share with you as you journey with Him. He longs for communion with you and desires more than occasional fasting and prayers.

When I remember my life before Christ, I can't help but feel sad when I remember how I easily traded time with Him for frivolity. I preferred people who mistreated me to a God who sent His son to die for me. I chose things over the Lover of my soul. I was like the lady in the mini-series, chasing after things that only harmed me when all the while my Lord was eagerly waiting for me.

I thank God He never gave up on me. And I thank God He will never give up on you.

This month, decide to love God. Not with a song, or a caption. But with your life.

Obey His written and spoken word.

Love His children. Even those you believe are enemies to you.

Celebrate His name always, even when things seem to be failing.

Be available when He calls and be willing.

Have faith.

Wait on Him.

God has given His love so freely. Will you?

With all my love this Valentines',

J 🌹