38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
We call God by many names, in order to establish our relationship in Him, and oftentimes depending on the capacity with which we are praying to Him at any given moment: Creator, Yahweh, Lord, Father, El Shaddai, Adonai, Protector, Healer, Comforter, Redeemer, and Friend. But one analogy that came as a surprise to me when I first encountered it was God as Lover.
I first read about this comparison in the book Captivating by Stasi Eldredge. I think I read every paragraph twice, in order to be sure that I understood it correctly. Thinking of God in the romantic sense, as in the Lover from the Song of Songs, had never even occurred to me until then, and giddy, flighty emotions were ones that I had never associated with Him before. Stasi made a very good case though, citing relatable examples and familiar situations when God is conveying Himself to us in that manner.
It was a revelation to me, and of course I have been enlightened since then. It rounds out everything, and makes it easier to understand the truth of God being in every aspect of our lives. It was great to have an explanation for the times when I feel elated for no apparent reason. Now I understand bliss. There is an added dimension to the delight that I feel when I experience simple joys in life. Little pleasures are now like cute little love notes from God, like seeing small beads of dew captured in between sunbeam and cobweb, or the smell of briskly brewing coffee at the start of a busy day, or even the rush of endorphins as I touch down on the floor after a few laps of wall climbing. Better than love notes actually, because they involve every possible sense, including the spiritual.
The passage itself is one such unexpected love note for me. It is poetic and beautiful and metered and symmetrical and just perfect, and it made me smile when I understood what God was trying to speak to me at that time. Which is that because God loves me, then I am worthy to be loved, and that I already know how to love as well, because He has given me this.
Two years ago, someone asked me when I think I would be ready for a relationship. I was in the middle of not-finishing this book at that time, resisting from reading anymore of it because some of the things it was speaking into my life back then were too painful to consider, and my answer to his question was, “When I finish reading Captivating,” meaning not really anytime soon, and thinking that after reading it I would be better equipped to handle a real, mature, and God-based relationship. I finished reading it a few months ago. I think it worked.
Reflection Question
Can you identify the many things and moments in your life when God is speaking and acting towards you as a Lover?
God in Heaven thank You for that bit of shade when I was walking outside in the sun today, and thank You for the bus driver who greeted me good morning as I got on the bus to ride to work. Thank You for delicious meal I had, for the tender meat off the ribs, and the tasty vegetables they served with it; it almost makes me want to eat leaves everyday. Thank you for unexpected mint chocolate bars in my bag, I had totally forgotten those were there. Thank You Lord for all the wonders of this day. Amen
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
