22 July 2016 - whom my heart loves

[ Today's Readings ]

The LORD wants us to desire him above all things. It isn't just a matter of knowing that we need him above all things. He wants this truth to reach our hearts as well.

On my bed at night I sought him
whom my heart loves–

If we let the LORD touch our hearts we come to desire him in this way. When we do it becomes a secret strength that moves us through times us desolation.

Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping.

Look at a heart that refuses to be consoled with anything other than the presence of its LORD. We would probably have already turned the TV back in an effort to forget. How often do we simply accept the sorrow of the world and try to distract ourselves as best we can? Is it any wonder this strategy leaves us empty? It is only the who seeks and keeps on seeking that finds. 

Have you seen him whom my heart loves?
I had hardly left them
when I found him whom my heart loves.

Our hearts know him. But they do not yet love him as Mary Magdalene loves him. They are still content with substitutes. Mary has been forgiven much and so she loves much. Maybe if we realize what Jesus does for us we will love him more too.

So whoever is in Christ is a new creation:
the old things have passed away;
behold, new things have come.

Mary no longer needs to be regarded according to the flesh. She has cut ties with a sinful past. We too are made no creations, capable of living for more than just ourselves.

Realizing this, we wait upon the LORD even when we don't find him immediately.

Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping.

He eventually does come to us to satisfy our hearts.

Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to him in Hebrew,
“Rabbouni,” which means Teacher.

His presence cannot be faked or replaced with substitutes. Only he knows us this deeply. Only he can truly satisfy that for which our hearts truly long. He speaks our names and we are able to say, "I have seen the Lord". We become able to let go of our grip on him. Even when he seems distant we realize that he is not actually far from us. The love that knows our names sometimes withdraws from us toward the Father. But it is a withdrawal that brings us with him. He shares that very Spirit of Sonship with us. Somehow he is even closer than before. Somehow he still speaks our names. Let us listen until we hear.

Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
For your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you.