Married to Christ

"So I am going to fence her in with thorn bushes and build a wall to block her way.

She will run after her lovers but not catch them.

She will look for them but not find them.

Then she will say, 'I am going back to my first husband - I was better off then than I am now.'"

~ Hosea 2:6-7

I married Jesus when I was 29. I had known that was my vocational calling since I was 13. Like any other married couple, we've had our ups and downs. Each of the hard times have been a direct result of my own self-absorption, lack of understanding, or self-reliance. It's taken me years to realize this...and I often need reminding. If I am feeling disconnected from God, I am the reason why.

The Bible is clear that what we see now is like the reflection in a mirror. When you are looking at something in front of you, however, it is much easier to believe that what we see is the reality, not the reflection. Life can be stressful and reaching out for tangible comfort or assistance is only natural. The Lord helps us through the people, places, and experiences he puts in our paths. But do we always give the credit to God? I am guilty of giving credit more often than I should to that which is in front of me and, when it inevitably fails to heal the deeper part of me that is truly in need of healing, I get frustrated and wonder why it didn't work. Only then do I take a bite of humble pie and approach my husband with sorrow and regret, asking for the healing only he can give.

I like to think, "This time, I truly get it. This time, I will retain what I've learned and live accordingly." I like to believe I will not be duped by the siren call of social media, quick fixes, or the other countless "lovers" who fail to satisfy. There is but one Love, one source and summit of Love, and he is the man I married. He is the one who calls each of us to himself in the way he predestined us to walk so that we may have life and have it abundantly. This world alone cannot meet our needs. Only the one who was there when the world began - and when our individual worlds began - can heal us, can love us, and can satisfy us beyond imagination.

Lord, thank you for the abundant life you have planned for me.

I am sorry for the times I have let worldly concerns and experiences take my focus away from you.

Redirect my attention. Help me let go of what I see that is not of you.

Fence me in with thorn bushes and build a wall to stop me from traveling down the wrong paths.

Lead me back to you. Amen.

The happiest day of my life was the day I married Jesus!