The Great Romancer

I am being romanced by the Great Romancer. I have just finished reading Captivating (see book list), and I am even more convinced that my heart is being pursued, fought for, and enjoyed by our God. My God thinks that I am beautiful and worth it, worth the fight, and women....He is dying to whisper the same comforting words to you. There's a reason our hearts as women are never satisfied and long for a deeper sort of love. This next 2 parts are from the last chapter that I wanted to share with you all, and even if you are not a believer, maybe you could still take a moment to dream about a romance that is available to speak into the depths of your heart.

~Jesus is extending his hand to you. He is inviting you to dance with him. He asks, "May I have this dance.... every day of your life?" His gaze is fixed on you. He is captivated by your beauty. He is smiling. He cares of nothing of the opinion of others. He is standing. He will lead. He waits for your response. My lover spoke and said to me, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me." (Songs 2:10) You are a women. An image bearer of God. The crown of Creation. You were chosen before time and space, and you are wholly and dearly loved. You are sought after, pursued, romanced and the passionate desire of your Fiance Jesus. You are dangerous in your beauty and your life-giving power. And you are needed. As a women who has been ransomed and redeemed, you can be strong and tender. You speak to the world of God's mercy, mystery, beauty, and his desire for intimate relationship. You are inviting; you can risk being vulnerable, offering the weight of your life as well as your need for more because you are safe in God's love. You labor with God to bring forth life - in creativity, in work, in others. Your aching, awakened heart leads you to the feet of Jesus, where you wait on him and wait for him. The eyes of his heart are ever upon you. The KING IS CAPTIVATED BY YOUR BEAUTY.
~ Captivating
There is a story about a time when Jesus visited the house of Martha and her sister Mary. Of coarse this was a great honor for these women to have this man come to their home. Martha was so concerned and busy getting everything just right, cooking, etc. (like most of us would be). Everything must 'look' just right, taste just right, be just right....but Mary was unconcerned, instead it says that she just sat at Jesus' feet and was listening to him. What a beautiful picture, to just listen to him, allowing him to enjoy me and my vulnerability, and it's so freeing. "The one thing that is needed is a captivated, adoring heart, a heart that responds to the extravagant love of God with worship."
This is what Jesus says. "Martha, Martha,' Jesus answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" Luke 10: 38-42

We need to stop this thinking that we are required to do and perform to be a Christian. To sit at Jesus' feet...that is all that is required, and he will not take that away, the rest will flow from there.
God is not a duty.....Christianity is not a duty....Religion is not a duty....
It is an opportunity, an invitation offered to anyone to sit at the feet of the creator of the universe, and just....listen.