Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: LOVE (08/03/23)
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TITLE: Prioritizing The Loves Of My Life | Previous Challenge Entry
By Mariane Holbrook
08/09/23 -
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"Uh oh. I hope I didn't reveal any secrets, but I'm in love for sure," I countered, laughing loudly.
When I was in my junior year at college, I had been dating John for over a year. One lovely moonlit night, he took me on a date to Inspiration Point, overlooking the Hudson River in New York. Placing a stunning solitaire diamond on my finger, John asked the time-honored question that every woman longs to hear: "Will you be my wife?" Of course, my answer was a resounding, "YES."
When I returned to my dorm, I rushed from room to room, spreading the exciting news of my engagement. At the end of the hall, I could see some of my classmates huddling together, so I knew they were planning our college's version of a "bridal shower." Sure enough, within minutes, I was carried to the hall bathroom and unceremoniously tossed into the shower, clothes and all.
From then on, I bored my friends to tears as I talked endlessly about John, his abilities and accomplishments, his dreams and long-term goals. I compared John to every other man on campus and found them remarkably lacking.
I kept John's notes and missives in a sturdy, well-locked wooden box. I read them repeatedly, thrilled with his terms of endearment, sharing them with no one. Our passion was wonderfully exclusive.
I decorated my class notebook pages with hearts and flowers, printing John's name inside each heart. Photos of John adorned the wall beside my single bed in the dormitory. My record player droned on endlessly with the familiar love songs of the 1950s, forcing my longsuffering roommates to seek solace in unoccupied rooms in the dorm where they could study without musical accompaniment. There was no question that I was deeply in love.
But one day in chapel, a guest speaker said something that radically challenged my thinking about love:
"Most Christians do not have fellowship WITH God;
they have fellowship with other Christians ABOUT God."
Alone in my dorm room, I bowed my head and wept. Without realizing it, I had been dealing with overwhelming and conflicting priorities.
I enjoyed quoting the Scripture verse, "There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John" (John 1:6 NIV), and I often told my friends that I was the lucky recipient of that gift of John. I believed then, as I believe now, that God chose my husband for me. My priorities back then, however, needed to be reversed.
In the years since then, I've pondered how often I tell my family or friends about Jesus, the lover of my soul, His virtues, His holiness, and His power to transform me from an abject sinner into a woman who reflects the character and nature of Jesus Himself.
As a born-again believer, wife, and mother, I've asked myself how much time I spend alone with God, telling Him of my love and devotion, jealously guarding our time together because I cannot face the vagaries of life without Him.
How often have I written His holy name in loving script on the tender, fluttering pages of my heart, thrilled at even the sight of His name: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, the most beautiful word ever spoken or read?
Until recently, hymn books were ABOUT God rather than worship songs directed TO God. I'm sure He enjoys corporate worship, but even more, He must thrill to one of His children sequestered in a closet with him singing the cherished love songs of David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel.
How much thought do I give to my bridal gown sewn from the pure, flawless fabric of His righteousness that I'll wear at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? How much preparation am I making in my heart and mind for the most magnificent wedding ever known to humankind?
I don't want to be ashamed at His coming, wishing I'd spent more time alone with Him, basking comfortably in both our conversation and in our silence.
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Dear Jesus, my Savior, I humbly confess
I've set my priorities wrong.
I need to remember my husband's a gift
But You've owned my heart all along.
Forgive me, I pray, for forgetting to spend
More time all alone just with You.
I pledge to You now that I'll give You first place
In my life, like I once used to do.
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Non-fiction
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength…" (Mark 12:30 KJV)
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God Bless~
Beautifully written.
God Bless~