say yes to love

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, let me know your love and care so deeply today that it would allow me to live with an untroubled heart—whole and free.  Amen.

Scripture: John 14:1-7

Journal: What is God saying to you today through the scriptures?  What kind of relationship do you really believe God wants with you?  How does this help you to live with an untroubled heart?  God is offering you his cup of wine today, will you drink?  What does it look like to say yes to his love today?

Reflection: In biblical times, marriages were basically arranged.  But the participants did have some say in the final outcome.  If the groom-to-be was on board with the arrangement, he would go to his future bride’s house and offer her a cup of wine.  It was his way of saying, “I choose you.”  And if the bride was also in agreement with the arrangement, she would then drink the wine, basically saying, “And I choose you.”

After that, the groom would then go back to his father’s house and begin to build a room onto it, where he and his new bride would live.  When all the work was finally completed, the father of the groom would give the okay and the groom-to-be would then make his way back to his future bride’s house.  At that time the bridesmaids, who had been watching and waiting for the groom’s return, would announce his coming.  Then the bride-to-be would go out to meet her groom and everyone would process back to the groom’s house where the wedding feast would begin.

One of the really beautiful parts of this whole process was what the groom would say at his proposal, after the wine had been offered and accepted.  He would say, “Bride to be, in my Father’s house there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am.”

These are the very words Jesus chose to use in order to tell his followers what one day awaited them—a celebration.  A wedding feast.  You see, God wants intimate union with us.  Union so deep that only the delights of marriage can begin to capture it.  He wants more than just a dutiful, distant relationship.  He wants passion.  He wants longing.  He wants unbridled affection.  That is the kind of life God wants both for and with each of us.  All we have to do is say, “I do.”  All you have to do is say yes to love. (from my newest book Into the Heart of God, which should be out in a few weeks)   

Prayer

Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to say yes to your love today.  Help me to trust you fully and completely.  Thank you that you love me with more passion and affection than I can ever imagine.  Amen.