Romance Redefined

She never won prom queen or caught the eye of the star football player, and he never understood why. To him, she was the most stunning girl that had ever walked the earth. But in her eyes, she was nothing special. Insecurities and shame had haunted her for years. Oh, but in his eyes, she was perfection.

Everywhere the couple went, people couldn’t help but notice a relationship that was unlike anything the most romantic movie had ever portrayed. After ten years of marriage, he was still enthralled by her. The way she walked, the way she laughed, the way she cried and the way she fell asleep in his arms. It captivated him in a way that surpassed his wildest dreams. To him, she was the essence of beauty. And with him, she truly felt beautiful.

One winter, she fell ill. The disease was incurable. Doctors would not allow for her to have any contact with anyone lest they fall ill also. Completely devastated in the deepest sense, the strongest warning could not stop him. No, he refused to live without her. Nothing could keep him from her. Not for a second did he hesitate to shove past the nurses to stand by her bedside, stroking her face in the same way that he had every night since they had been married. He had promised "until death do us part," and he meant it.

Just as the trees are budding and flowers are blossoming around us, exactly as they do year after year, God never fails to come through on His promises. He is the author of romance. He wrote the first love story, and ever since, men and women have spent their lives attempting to recapture the bliss of the greatest event in history.

Here in lies the reality of our situation. God climbed into our hospital beds. He came down into our sickness. He gave up His right to life so that He can hold us in His arms. So that we would have a hand to hold onto when school gets crazy, things seem out of control or when death seems to be our only way of escape. He wants to know us. He wants to know me. He wants me to look deep into His eyes and know that everything is okay. He wants to set us free, and he wants to see us enjoying the freedom He Himself purchased for us.

He even went a step further than the man in my little illustration. My God did not simply stand by my bedside when I was on my death bed. He climbed into my bed. And since there was not room for both of us, He pushed me off and took my place. Today, I stand healed, completely captivated by the One whose love was so much greater than anything I could ever know or imagine.

Are you living as if the God of the universe suffered in your place?

Have you truly embraced the freedom that was purchased for you on the cross?

**If you've never had a chance to read this love story for yourself, I would highly recommend it. Start off with the book of John and let yourself be captivated by the beauty of the Lover that whispers your name.