“There are many who struggle to survive in life, many who have been used and abused in the name of love, many who have been sacrificed on the altars of pleasure and ‘freedom.’ But the freedom the world offers is, in reality, false. Too many have awakened one day to discover they are in bondage, and they have no idea how to escape…people fight, as I did, to be their own gods, only to find in the end that they are lost, desperate, and terribly alone. I want to bring the truth to those trapped in lies and darkness, to tell them that God is there, He is real, and He loves them – no matter what.” – Francine Rivers
I have a slight obsession with “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers. It’s a fictional story based on the book of Hosea in the bible. Not only can I relate to this story, but the ministry that I have been working with this month relates to this story and God’s redeeming love for all of us.
Heart of Christ Ministry focuses on helping young girls who are pregnant due to rape or incest. They also help women who are trapped in abusive or unhealthy relationships, as well as disabled children who have been abandoned. A huge part of this ministry is intentionally seeking out these women and children to bring them into God’s family.
Right now there are two young girls living at the ministry site full time. One is 16, the other is 14. They each have a baby as a result of rape. They each have had to grow up too quickly. They each have lived a violent, scary life. They each have had something stolen from them that was meant to be special and saved for their future husbands.
The founders of Heart of Christ Ministry, Gracie and Lee, provide a safe house for these young girls and for that I am grateful. They are the Godly examples of parents that the girls need – showing them that love cleanses and comforts, it doesn’t beat you down or degrade you.
In “Redeeming Love,” Angel was a prostitute who married a Godly man, Michael Hosea. Since growing up being told that her body was a tool to make money, she thought that she was unworthy of love. She didn’t know that there was a difference between sex and love. She didn’t know that love didn’t involve being abused. After marrying Michael Hosea, Angel runs away multiple times. She tries to escape his perfect love for her by hiding in her past. Michael Hosea never stops pursuing her though. He buys her back, every time.
In this book, Michael Hosea represents God and His unfailing love for us.
I never sold my body for money like Angel. But I prostituted myself to other worldy things. I sold myself to abusive relationships that were never fulfilling and drugs that were never good enough to numb my situation. I denied God in multiple ways and continued to try and run from His love.
God bought me back multiple times. To Him, I was priceless. He loved me regardless of how hateful I was to Him. He loved me unconditionally, fiercely, powerfully, intimately.
He looked at a ‘harlot’ and saw someone worthy of love.
“And then I’ll marry you for good – forever! I’ll marry you in true and proper, in love and tenderness. Yes, I’ll marry you and nether leave you nor let you go. You’ll know me, God, for who I really am.” Hosea 2:19-20 (msg)
