Recently, I asked the Lord what He wanted me to share with you. When I quieted my soul to listen, He said, "Do I captivate your heart as you have captivated Mine?"
Before you continue reading, please pause and ponder His words. Imagine Him standing before you, smiling and looking you in the eyes as He asks you that.
How does that make you feel? I'll tell you how it made me feel.
Undone. A crying, blubbering mess!
How could He possibly be captivated by such weak love? So many times, I give Him less than He deserves, even when I intend to give Him everything. I can be selfish and impatient. How could my imperfect love captivate Him? But more than that, I wanted to understand why He would ask me (ask us) if we are captivated by Him in the same way. Aren't we more captivated by His heart than He is of ours?
God always asks us questions for a reason. Perhaps our hearts are distracted. Quite possibly, it's because we have no idea how much He loves us and is moved by our love... as weak as it is.
But I (and I believe you too) want to live so captivated by Him that the cares of life do not steal my affection... (Photo via Unsplash)
Captivated by God More Than Your Problems
So let me ask you a question. What has captivated your heart? If you're unsure, listen to what's coming out of your mouth during prayer and conversations.
Yes, it's important to pray. James 4:2 tells us that we have not because we ask not. But let's be honest, we've probably asked a million times. Now, the Lord is asking us to let go and trust Him.
Maybe you're struggling to let go and fully trust. I hear you, and I've been there. I spent most of my Christian life consumed with fear and doubt. I'd think, If God's not fixing this, maybe I should help Him out (as if I could). Or, Maybe I'm not praying hard enough (as if the burden to fix everything falls on me)!
Beloved, when you are captivated by God more than your problems, you will experience inner freedom, and you will have His wisdom. You're allowed to stop thinking about your problems long enough to focus on Jesus. It is almost impossible to receive His personal guidance when you're stuck in your emotions. Let His love hold your gaze, and He will direct you. Be still and know that He is God.
"I hear the Lord saying, 'I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with My eyes as your guide.'" (Psalm 32:8 TPT)
"Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all the nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth." (Psalm 46:10 TPT)
Changed at the Very Center of Your Being
The Lord is inviting you to a new level of intimacy with Him that changes you at the very center of your being. And it starts by surrendering to His love more than ever before. (Photo via Unsplash)
Let's bless Him and offer Him what He longs for most – our hearts. And as we turn all our attention to Him, untangled by the cares of life because we trust Him, love will captivate us. And nothing else will take His place in our lives.
I've been pondering Psalm 119:37. It says, "Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way" (NKJV). Usually, I think of worthless things as being mindless internet scrolling, binging on movies or television, etc. Today, in light of the Lord asking, "Do I captivate your heart as you have captivated Mine?" I realize that anything we obsess over that isn't drawing us closer to Him is a worthless thing.
Staring at the stresses, cares, and concerns does not help you. You're not making anything better by looking at the problems. But when you look at Jesus, He will lead you with His eye. He will captivate your heart, and you will never see things the same way again.
Lord, Would You Captivate Me Again?
I encourage you to go into your prayer room and be with Him. Take a deep breath. You do not have the weight of the world on your shoulders, friend. Sometimes it might feel like it, but that's a false burden you are not meant to carry. If you've been feeling that way, open your hands and give those burdens to the Lord.
Surrender afresh today and ask Him, "Lord, would You captivate me again?"
If you turn all of your attention to Him and truly let go of those cares, I'm telling you, you will feel better. But don't let that be the motivation. Let Him be your goal – your one and only goal. Come to Him because He deserves your love.
Let's pray: Jesus, give me the grace to live captivated by You more than I am enamored by lesser things. Thank You for accepting my love so graciously. I surrender afresh to You, now. Amen.
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(Used by Permission via The Passion Translation)
Gretchen Rodriguez
Gretchen Rodriguez Ministries
Email:Â click here
Website:Â www.gretchenrodriguez.com
Gretchen Rodriguez is a writer, dancer and ballet teacher. Her heart burns with one main message: Intimacy with Jesus and discovering the reality of His presence. She co-authored Prayers on Fire, 365 Days Praying the Psalms, The Divine Romance: 365 Days Meditating on the Song of Songs and Ever-Present Love: 365 Days Discovering Jesus in the Gospels, with Brian Simmons. She and her husband invested nine years as missionaries in Puerto Rico, along with their three daughters. They now make California their home.
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