Called out

He will allure her, He will pursue her
And call her out to wilderness with flowers in His hand.
She is responding, beat up and hurting
Deserving death, but offerings of life are found instead.
 
She will sing, she will sing oh, to You
She will sing as in the days of youth
As You lead her away to valleys low
To acres of hope, acres of hope
 
Here in the valley, walk close beside me
Don't look back, for love is growing vineyards up ahead.
You have called me master and though you're in the dark here
Call me friend and call me lover and marry me for good.
 
How the story ends is love and tenderness in Him
Not safe, but worth it.
So the valley's up ahead or the ones we live
We'll sing together, we'll sing together.
 
Acres of Hope by Shane & Shane (Look up Hosea 2:14-23)
 

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The journey of God calling me out this past year has been full of small tugs at my heart.  He is ever calling me to a new place of knowing His lavish love.  I have heard of His love from others who seem to know and trust it so well.  But for me, His love has always just seemed general.  Like He loves the world, so who am I to think that He calls me, as an individual, His Beloved?  Jana Spicka, an amazing teacher in my life, is convinced that God loves to pour out “I love you” gifts to His children. And who could doubt her as she shares her collection of shells, rocks, and clouds in the shape of hearts?  And the difference I have learned is not that God loves her more, but that she knows how to be bold about looking and asking for His gifts.

So, I have asked and I have looked.  Do you love me God?  Am I your beloved? Will you satisfy me more than any other?  Then I want an orchid. This is what I asked of God  2, maybe 3, years ago.  You don’t think I need a man?  Fine.  Then I need you, Father, to fill this hole I feel I have in my life.  And I would like some flowers from you.  That seems to be what men do when they are pursuing a woman.  So will you pursue me?

I asked and I asked.  This is what I wanted from Him.  I thought I had made it pretty simple.  Every store I would walk into seemed to have dozens and dozens of orchid plants for sale.  But I refused to buy one for myself; I wanted it as a gift from Him.

My birthday week began in April and I had a decision ahead of me that I had to make about my future.  So, I told God.  I’m scared to step out of what has been a perfectly good comfort zone.  But I’m more scared that you won’t go with me.  My weakness overwhelms me and I’m starting to think it is too great for your strength.  I need to know.  I need to know you LOVE, LOVE me.  Then I will go.  Once again, I asked for my orchid. 

Then it happened.  What I had asked for countless times, but doubted every time that I would receive from the Lord.  My birthday came and I see one of my high school girls drive up in the parking lot with an orchid on her lap. That’s for me. I choked back tears.  Who would understand the importance of this?  It seemed silly to say, but I had to share the love the Lord had lavished on me. Thank you, but I want you to know Jamie: this is a gift from Jesus to me.

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