October 29
God’s Gifts of Love
The Lord has appeared … saying, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”
Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)
I love citrus, but I crave tangerines. I sit here eyeing a particularly gorgeous specimen and I think, What a perfectly packaged and wonderfully presented piece of deliciousness! I so enjoy their juicy bursts of flavor.
This morning the tangerine reminds me of God’s amazing love and care for me, but it also reminds me of a story from John and Stasi Eldredge’s book, Captivating. In that story, they share God’s personal display of love for them … how He seems to continually draw them into deeper intimacy with Him. It’s something God wants to do for us as well—much as a suitor brings flowers or candy—God wants to win our hearts by opening our eyes to His spectacular ways.
Consider the Eldredge's experience.
Stasi tells of a time when John took a business trip to Oregon and managed to get away to the coast. John loves the outdoors and the wilder the environment, the better. After sitting alone on the beach and with God in his thoughts, the most amazing thing happened. The huge tail of a Humpback whale plumed impossibly close to shore. It was awesome. Since the migration season had long passed, John took it as God’s incredible show just for him.
Well, John shared this with Stasi when he returned home, then, a week or so later, they found themselves at a conference on the North California Coast. This time, it was Stasi who took an early morning stroll to the beach. As she sat watching waves and worshipping God, she asked Him a question. “Can I have a whale too? You gave John a whale … what about me?”
After several minutes and no whale, Stasi took a walk. The sea gulls cried, the waves pummeled the shore, and as she turned a corner, she came across not a whale but a stunning, orange starfish. She admired it closely. It was delicate, perfect, and absolutely beautiful, and as she continued her walk, she thanked God for bringing her a starfish. But when she rounded the next bend, she was swept off her feet. For there beside her, in front of her and all around her were hundreds, no zillions of starfish of all sizes and descriptions. Purple ones and orange ones and blue—each with intricate detail. Sure, John received a huge, strong whale, but Stasi received something just for her. It was God’s kiss, and it blew her away. It was as if He said, Stasi I don’t just love you … I loooove you!
What a great story, and what great insight. It gives me a new hunger. Perhaps now is the time to unwrap a perfect tangerine … and discover a fresh burst of flavor!
Lord, thank you for Your great love, for wooing us in Your own special way. Amen.
God’s Gifts of Love
The Lord has appeared … saying, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”
Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)
I love citrus, but I crave tangerines. I sit here eyeing a particularly gorgeous specimen and I think, What a perfectly packaged and wonderfully presented piece of deliciousness! I so enjoy their juicy bursts of flavor.
This morning the tangerine reminds me of God’s amazing love and care for me, but it also reminds me of a story from John and Stasi Eldredge’s book, Captivating. In that story, they share God’s personal display of love for them … how He seems to continually draw them into deeper intimacy with Him. It’s something God wants to do for us as well—much as a suitor brings flowers or candy—God wants to win our hearts by opening our eyes to His spectacular ways.
Consider the Eldredge's experience.
Stasi tells of a time when John took a business trip to Oregon and managed to get away to the coast. John loves the outdoors and the wilder the environment, the better. After sitting alone on the beach and with God in his thoughts, the most amazing thing happened. The huge tail of a Humpback whale plumed impossibly close to shore. It was awesome. Since the migration season had long passed, John took it as God’s incredible show just for him.
Well, John shared this with Stasi when he returned home, then, a week or so later, they found themselves at a conference on the North California Coast. This time, it was Stasi who took an early morning stroll to the beach. As she sat watching waves and worshipping God, she asked Him a question. “Can I have a whale too? You gave John a whale … what about me?”
After several minutes and no whale, Stasi took a walk. The sea gulls cried, the waves pummeled the shore, and as she turned a corner, she came across not a whale but a stunning, orange starfish. She admired it closely. It was delicate, perfect, and absolutely beautiful, and as she continued her walk, she thanked God for bringing her a starfish. But when she rounded the next bend, she was swept off her feet. For there beside her, in front of her and all around her were hundreds, no zillions of starfish of all sizes and descriptions. Purple ones and orange ones and blue—each with intricate detail. Sure, John received a huge, strong whale, but Stasi received something just for her. It was God’s kiss, and it blew her away. It was as if He said, Stasi I don’t just love you … I loooove you!
What a great story, and what great insight. It gives me a new hunger. Perhaps now is the time to unwrap a perfect tangerine … and discover a fresh burst of flavor!
Lord, thank you for Your great love, for wooing us in Your own special way. Amen.
posted by Craig Soderquist at 8:48 PM
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