Talk about a potential for ministry burn-out!
In the ancient Middle East between 792-753 BC, the Creator
called Hosea into ministry with an unusual assignment. Marry an unfaithful woman. Know that she will repeatedly cheat on you, and
lapse into prostitution. But love her
and invest in her anyway.
As the ultimate Teacher, God enjoys using object lessons to
grab his learners’ attention with wild, unconventional methods. Throughout
time, he has asked his prophets to dig holes through solid city walls, to break
jars, to bury twigs, to tie themselves up for a period of time, and to even run
around with no pants on. He’s a wild God, isn’t he?
Each of those assignments had a vivid point to make, showing
God’s power, love, and plans for his people, despite hard times. Hosea’s
assignment was no different.
“My people’s hearts keep wandering away from me,” the
Creator confided to Hosea. “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land… She has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold.”
“She went after her lovers, but me she forgot.”
“Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her
into the desert and speak tenderly to her,” mused the heartsick Creator. “I
will make the valley… a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her
youth.”
You are being wooed. You are being allured. The Creator
longs for relationship with you.
Whatever your past, whatever your history with him, he longs
for relationship with you. He chases after you. He is heartsick for you, and he
is a God of reconciliation.
Need a door of new hope? Want to sing like in the early
days? He is calling you into the desert and speaking tenderly to you…
8 comments:
This brought to mind 2 thoughts:
1. Poor woman's name was "Gomer" - are you kidding me?? No wonder she had such an insatiable need for love and affirmation.
2. Ever read Jamie the Very Worst Missionary's blog? She has a heart wrenching post called "I have a heart for you" about reaching out to a prostitute.
Amen, Jen, Amen!
I have been there too and He met me along a road leading to destruction.
He has made me whole.
Others too, anybody, just let Him into your heart.... and He will dwell in you, to save, to counsel and to guide.
Thanks you, Jen.
Jennifer...love this post...my dwelling place for a long time has been in Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you. And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him...
Well written...Blessings
Jennifer, this is a beautiful post. I love your writing.
I got a kick out of what cabinart said, "...no wonder she had such an insatiable need for love and affirmation."
Hello Jana/Cabinart,
Poor Gomer... :) Whatever her name, yes, I imagine she had an emotional wound that drove her in a search for love and affirmation. I love that nothing shocks our God.
Yes, I like Jamie's stuff. I'll have to make sure I've read that.
Jennifer
www.jenniferdougan.com
Lolita,
"I have been there too" -- I like that line. Yes, we all have, in some way or another, huh? All too easily we can run after ways of feeling significant. I am thankful for a loving, patient Creator. He can make us whole -- amen. :)
Jennifer
www.jenniferdougan.com
Betty, nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by. Oh yes, I love that Isaiah passage too. How wonderful to think of God longing to do anything, huh? He waits to have compassion on us... wow.
Thank you. Have a great week.
Jennifer
www.jenniferdougan.com
Diane,
Thank you for your encouraging words. I am glad that you found my site and stopped by.
Cabinart is funny, isn't she? :)
Have a great week!
Jennifer
www.jenniferdougan.com
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