I slept but my heart was awake. Listen! My lover is knocking…” Song of Songs 5:2
Dear Lord Jesus, there’s nothing more profound and precious to me than to hear your knock-to realize afresh, it isn’t me that’s seeking you, but you are the one always seeking me.
In every spiritual discipline, in every Lenten exercise, in every employment of the means of grace… you are the one who most committed, engaged and present in the relationship I share with you. I’m known, accepted, desired and enjoyed by you. How can this be? You, the Lord of all things, I dare call the lover of my soul…
If the gospel wasn’t true, such a claim would be unparalleled presumption, quintessential arrogance, archetypical foolishness. But because the gospel is true, less of a claim is unacceptable ignorance, the prison-house of unbelief and the most tragic of all thieveries-robbing you of the glory you deserve for being such a wonderful, merciful, loving Savior.
Jesus… to have a heart that stays awake for your knock, even when I enjoy the gift of deep sleep… to hear your voice above all the clamoring, yammering and gibberish of my day… to know that every time I open the door… every time I respond to your pursuit… every time I risk being found by you… I will only experience the gaze of your grace and the kiss of great hope…
“Amazing love! How can it be, that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?… No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine, bold I approach th’eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own… Amazing love! How can it be, that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?” So very Amen, I pray, in your holy, loving pursuing name.