back to the Garden.

oftentimes the church is referred to as the "bride". i think this is to remind the church of the sweet, sweet romance God calls us into as a people he loves passionately. but i don't think that we have decided to partake in this romance, and i don't think it will until much pursuing on our part has been attempted.

i can't imagine that my relationship with jud would be very successful if only one of us were pursuing the other's love. it works because we pursue each other.

in the olden days, people would call one's future spouse, their "intended". indicating the purpose of the relationship at hand was the intent to marry.

we have always been considered God's "intended". he has been pursuing us in all of the romantic ways jud pursues me. spending time with me. trusting me. listening to me. holding my hand...

as his "intended", he also hopes for us to be dwelling in his safety, his peace, his love, his passion...

he wants to take us back to the Garden. where fears are no more. where nudity is a sign of trust and vulnerability. where he no longer has to be jealous for our attention. and where he is the focus of our everything.

oh to live as God's intended...