“The Bible is the romance story every girl should read. What every girl aches for…Wasn’t that the hidden desire of all people? To feel singularly pursued to the ends of the earth? The romanticized version of someone laying down their life for another was woven into the human DNA by God as an imprinted map to find the way back to Him.” (Jordyn Redwood, Poison)
Whether you’re ultra-feminine or more of a tomboy, most women I know have a deep desire to be loved. Truly, intimately, loved and unconditionally accepted for who they are – warts and all.
I finished reading a great book, Poison, and the above quote reached out and spoke to the deepest parts of my soul. I had never thought about the Bible quite like that. However, the more I played around with that idea, I found it to be true. God wove into each and every one of us the deep desire to be pursued, to be loved, to be cherished and treasured. The best part is that desire can’t be fulfilled by any human, material possession, career, or addiction. The only way to satisfy the deepest longing we all have is through God Himself.
I can only speak for myself when I say I’ve tried filling up with other things, people, objects, habits, or activities. For some reason I thought it would be easier than reading the Bible and developing a closer walk with God. I guess since I’d always had a hard time loving myself, I figured what I knew of God’s great love for others couldn’t possibly be meant for someone like me. The other pursuits I ran after may have dulled the ache some, for a time, but I was never satisfied. I never felt at peace.
The only permanent solution to having that desire filled is sometimes accomplished by the roughest roads and the most detours. Maybe that’s why when we finally arrive, it feels the most satisfying. After trying out all the substitutions, we know we’ve found the truth. We can tangibly feel the difference between the cheap imitation and the real deal. I was told when I found the right man to spend the rest of my life with “I would just know.” As a single person I thought, Seriously – what does that mean?, but as most happily married women can attest to, it really is true. There’s a peace that settles over you when you think of spending the rest of your life with this one particular person.
However, some people may wonder what it looks like to be pursued by a loving God. What exactly does that mean? First off, the best way to find that answer is to start finding out about who God really is through reading the Bible. He never changes so as you read through the different books, there are many themes that are repeated, probably for people like me who need to hear something more than once in order for it to sink in. Then, when God introduces His Son, Jesus Christ, the whole point of His ultimate love story is revealed. God loves each and every one of us so much He chose for (didn’t just allow but actively chose) His Son to die on the cross an excruciating death to give us a chance to choose eternal life. Wow – let that sink in a minute.
That’s real love. No human being loves with that kind of love. But God loves all of us with that much love. And grasp this: If you were the only person alive, ever, God would have made the same choice. Death for His Son so you can have a chance to choose eternal life with Him.
Then, God takes His love even further. He wants to have an active relationship with us. Once we make the choice to accept Jesus into our hearts,* then the real fun begins. By continuing to read about God in His Word, we find all the different promises He wants to give freely to His children. We find out what pleases God and the why behind his principles and guidelines.
The Bible is an incredible book, and all of the words it contains point toward the greatest love story of all times: A God who loves each and every one of us equally and wants nothing more than to see all of mankind choose a personal relationship with Him.
When I began Poison it was simply to sit back and relax with a great story. When I completed the novel, I received so much more. A deeper understanding of the love my Father has for me, a gratefulness of that love God has for all of us, and a desire to point others in the right direction to discover that love for themselves. Thank you, Ms. Redwood, for taking the words of fictional characters and connecting them to a message about eternity.
(Republished) Copyright 2013: Cheri Swalwell
*If you want more information regarding the steps necessary to accept Jesus into your heart, feel free to write to me in the comment section and I will be happy to assist you in that step, either helping you find a local church to connect with or speaking with you myself.