Christian Writers Circle

 His Invitation To Intimacy
by
Kathleen Shore

My Lord is the greatest of gentlemen… He does not push, pull, or shove me, but draws me to Himself with a lovingkindness that is far better than life itself.

~

One particular Friday morning, I was completely invigorated and strengthened by God’s love pursuit of me. It took hold of me as I went about the house cleaning in preparation to leave the children with my husband for the weekend so that I could travel and minister the love of God to a beautiful group of women. And although I had asked my Lord (as I always do) to wreck me with His love in a brand new way, so that my words would be like fresh manna, I must say… He took me by surprise.

At first, I did not realize His approach. It seemed to be just a random remembrance of an old diamond wedding band commercial that I idolized as a young married woman. But as the vivid picture flashed across my mind, a resurgence of awe and wonder swept over me and I stopped cleaning for a moment to take it all in, as though viewing it for the first time.

It must have been the way the man and woman walked together through the cobblestone village square. They were so unaware of other people, undisturbed by the pigeons all around their feet. Simply captivated by each other, they had a silent knowing of the love they shared. Then he stopped, and turned to face her. Holding out a stunning diamond engagement ring, he drew a deep breath and boldly declared at the top of his voice, “I… LOVE… THIS… WOMAN!”  Silence fell among the people, bringing their busyness to a halt as hundreds of pigeons rose up in flight with almost an angelic movement in their wings. And just as I was about to give my thoughts and emotions to this old idolized memory, God moved in on me with His invitation to a deeper intimacy with Him.

Like a sequel to the short film I had just viewed in my mind, Jesus re-played our love story. Without skipping a heartbeat, I saw myself looking up to the top of a hillside, where God had put on display how high, how deep, how wide was His love for me… poured out through His Son hanging on a cross. And all for love of me, my First Love willingly gave His life to suffer in this way.

With His eyes peering down into me, and His blood poured out, He then drew His last breath and boldly declared to all of heaven and earth, and under the earth, “I… LOVE… THIS… WOMAN!”

~

Pierced to my core, I was undone by His love all over again. I had locked eyes with The One who loves me, and gave His life for me. And as I stood looking into the source of all I ever needed, these scriptures washed over me.

Psalm 91:1 NIV
He who abides in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

John 15:4 NIV
Remain in Me, and I will remain in you.

I realized that I had a lifelong, moment by moment invitation to respond to His love. Immediately I thought to myself, “And what is my response to His declaration of me?”

Prayer:

O Lord Jesus, Lover of my soul,

I want to say, “Yes,” with my life that I am Yours. Thank you for declaring Your love of me on the cross. Thank you Father for giving your Son. Now would You roam through every corner of my heart? Would You take full possession of me? I look to no other. I desire no other. And until You return for me, I will live awake, looking for You my Bridegroom.

Hebrews 12:1 & 2 NIV

…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.