The God of Romance

MyBookTherapy is entering a fun writing phase - talking about romance! Now, lest you groan, all stories have romance - at some level. You can't get away from it.

We're going to look at the romantic journey, discovering the soul mate, the arch of the romantic plot. Even if romance or a relationship is a sub plot, you'll need to make sure it's viable enough to capture the reader.

I'm a big fan of the biblical book, Song of Solomon, because it depicts God's heart toward the believer. Yes, a man wrote the poetic prose, but I spent several years unearthing the symbolism and metaphorical language of this great book and came away with this conclusion: Jesus is in love with His Bride. You and me.

We've so perverted romance and intimacy it almost seems sick to say Jesus is in love. But He is. Get this in chapter 7 verse 10. The bride says, "I'm beloved's and his desire is for me."

Jesus desires to fellowship with us!

He longs to love us. Heart to heart. It's the divine romance, and it's at the core of our relationship with Him. Look, aren't you more apt to want a relationship with someone, a God, who is madly in love with you? I know I am.

He's for me. He'll fight for me. He prays for me. He encourages me. He believes in me. He calls me to Him, to partner with Him in ministry and friendship. He may even, gasp, ask my opinion.

We tend to relate to God as if we're His concubine. "I can only do what He asks. If He doesn't speak, I can't move or go or do. In fact, if I do, I might get in big trouble. No, I'd better just sit here and wait."

But Jesus came as a Man, died on the Cross and rose again so we could be with Him, as His Bride, for all eternity. And eternity begins now! Even though we are on "the other side."

We should relate to Him as a bride. "I'll speak to my husband and ask His opinion. I might even make a few suggestions. I'll tell Him I love Him, and hear His words of love in return. I'll do what He asks of me because He loves me, He is for me."

Marriage on earth is a picture of heaven - the interchange of hearts and minds.

So, romance is not a girly thing. It's a God thing. May you know the kisses of His Word on your hearts today!