Ah, yes. Remember the days when us men would stroll around our stallions (vehicles) to your side and lovingly (with as much suave as we could muster) pull open your door, extend our hand and anxiously wait for you to emerge like a butterfly from a cocoon?
Me either. Now I know that there are some who grew up in a culture promoting this kind of behavior. Some of you might be right with that first paragraph basking in the glory that’s straight from some kind of fairy tale.
But I think most of us aren’t quite there. I’m not. There have been times I’ve been that guy but for the most part the Birkey’s open our own doors.
As I was sitting with the Lord this morning He began to speak to me a little about how He feels about us. He also spoke to me a little about the things He loves to do for us. As He spoke I saw a vision of Him getting out of the drivers side of the car. He walked around to the passenger side where I sat and opened the door for me as a huge grin lit up His face.
He said to me in that moment, If you have the ability to wait for me to get to your side I’ll open every door for you.
Folks, chivalry may be lost here in the world but Jesus has it in spades. The following passage is on that has been centered in my heart ever since my good friend Tyler Johnson shared how much it meant to him. It’s Song of Solomon 4:9-11 and it’s Jesus to us.
9 You have ravished my heart and given me courage, my sister, my [promised] bride; you have ravished my heart and given me courage with one look from your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.
10 How beautiful is your love, my sister, my [promised] bride! How much better is your love than wine! And the fragrance of your ointments than all spices!
11 Your lips, O my [promised] bride, drop honey as the honeycomb; honey and milk are under your tongue. And the odor of your garments is like the odor of Lebanon.
If we could truly grasp this passage’s like this it wouldn’t be difficult at all to imagine Jesus doing things like what I’ve described. With one look, one glance from our eyes we ravish the heart of Jesus. That is simply amazing.
But it can be a difficult message. It can be hard to receive. Sometimes it seems impossible for us to wait or even believe that He wants to open doors for us. Here are a few reasons why.
1. We are independent and don’t trust others to do anything for us. Some of us grew up having to take care of everything. We were let down by people supposed to take care of us. So we look at the closed door and understand that if it’s ever going to be opened we’ll have to do it.
2. Pride. We want to the greatest, the biggest success and first. Waiting means falling behind and we can’t handle even the thought of that. We catch a glimpse of a vision and are out the door without bothering to wait for instructions. We think we can handle whatever may come.
3. We just don’t think we’re worth it. Some of us have a very difficult time understanding that someone, let alone Jesus, would want to take the time to open the door for us. Life experiences, whatever they may be, seems to have stolen our ability to recognize that Jesus says our love for Him is better than wine (any celebration verse10). We don’t understand that our words to Him and like honey and milk (verse 11). We look at ourselves and see only dirt. We look at the door and open it because we know nobody is going to do it for us.
God delights in you greatly (Zeph 3:17). It is His pleasure to treat you like the prince or princess you are. We move His heart. To the extent we are able to truly believe and receive that is the extent to which our intimacy with Him will develop.
It’s a journey wading through the lies the enemy has planted in our hearts and minds. But the truth is Jesus. The truth is the passage above. The truth is that there is no greater love!
Blessings,
Jesse and Kara Birkey
http://www.facebook.com/jesse.birkey
http://www.amazon.com/author/jessebirkey
Jesse and Kara Birkey are committed lovers of Jesus who seek to show others the extraordinary life of Jesus is available for everyone. They have authored two books, been featured in films and seek to serve the Lord in whatever ways they can. Follow their blog here.
Bring Jesse and Kara to your venue. Find more information here.
Life Resurrected, Extraordinary Miracles through Ordinary People has been endorsed by Sid Roth and Mark Virkler and is a collection of inspiring stories making it clear that the extraordinary life of Jesus is available to all who love Him. It’s also the testimony of Jesse’s life, the road he travelled bringing him into the arms of Jesus. Get the paperback here. Get the Kindle Version Here. View the trailer here.
Marriage What’s the Point? One couple finds meaning in a crazy mess is the story of their marriage—The tragedy and the restoration. They bear their hearts in an attempt to get others to bear theirs and finally receive the freedom they’ve longed for. Get the paperback here. Get the Kindle Version Here.
Jesse is also featured in the film DeadRaiser, a movie shining the spotlight on resurrection testimonies across the nation. Find more information here.
Add new comment