It's a song that really gets me, ya know? It's one of those songs that makes me fall to my knees, and sing from my heart. The first time I heard this song, I was sitting on my friend Elise's bed with her. We were talking about the story of David; I had read a book from the perspective of Jonathon, and she had read a book from the perspective of David. Although the books had different outlooks on various points of the stories, the general point was, obviously, still the same. What was really, really cool was that we were both, like, seriously impacted by getting a new view on that story. We talked for atleast an hour or two about how we wanted to have hearts like Jonathon's, and David's. We talked about how we desired to delve into the Psalms, now that we knew the depths of David's story. What was once a bible story was now coming alive to us, all thanks to 2 god-led authors who wrote historical fiction recounts of the same section of the bible.
Realization sunk in that these guys were, well, REAL. They aren't just an epic story we read about to give us courage. Oh, no. They are much, much more than that. Their stories are, most definitely, some of the most action-packed and heart-wrenching stories I've ever heard. But alot of times it's easy to look at them as just that- stories. The reality is that they were real people; people who experienced heartache, doubt, joy, triumph, loss, and any other emotion or experience we have in our every day lives.
What is so inspiring about David and Jonathon's story is that they have one thing in common: a fierce passion and loyalty towards the God of Israel! They devoured the Law as if it was their daily bread. That was all they had of God in written form, and they wanted all of it they could get! They constantly reflected this crazy love for others. God's victory and favor went with them. Even though we often see David as the champion in the story, God's power went with Jonathon as well. Him and a little servant boy attacked a full army of Phillistine's and had victory over them that only God could have given! I believe God loved Jonathon's zeal and confidence in Him.
I know Jonathon must have went through some pretty rough times in his faith. I mean, your dad becomes king! That is pretty sweet! But not too long afterwards he starts going astray and pleasing people instead of God. No matter how hard you try to convince him to see what he is doing, he keeps going along his not-so-merry way. Then, God blesses you with the amazing gift of a best friend. Furthermore, your dad becomes jealous of how ridiculously anointed he is, and decides to pursue him so that he could murder him. You, know, in case he might try to overthrow the kingdom and prove he would be a much better king than Saul, even though David never once did something that would threaten Saul's kingship.
It said that Jonathon and David's spirits became one! That's equivalent to the type of connection you have when you get married! The closeness and trust and Christ-centered love that can be found in a Godly marriage is what Jonathon and David found in each other. No, it wasn't anything weird, or gay for heaven's sakes. They had just found a soul-brother, ya know what I'm sayin'? Like, the kind of friend you would gladly give your life for. I don't know how many people can say that they have found a friend like that.
Anyways. Its a pretty amazing book. You should definitely read it. The one that I read is called, "The Prince" by Francine Rivers.
The thing I wanted to touch on is David's heart. His life just drips with the heart of God. That explains why God Himself called David, "A man after my own heart."
Oh, how I so desperately long to have a heart after God's own, and David's.
This is why the song, "Your Heart" by Chris Tomlin really gets me. Because It's, quite literally, my heart's cry. If I accomplished one single thing in this life on earth, it would be to have a heart like God's. To know his heart, to live with His heart in my physical body. To love so much it hurts in an amazingly good way. I want people to be thoroughly convinced that THERE IS A LOVING GOD.....because how else could she be loving so insanely, loyally, and continually if there WASN'T? That's what I want people to think when they think of me. Someone who always stands on the Word Of God as her light and guide; someone who always gives a helping hand when one is needed; someone who will always be there for them, and always meet them right where they are at. Someone who always wants more of God.
And just like David, when I mess up big time, and even continually mess up big time, I am brought down to my knees in tears and break back down those walls that sin and deception built between me and God.
I want God to be my number one priority. Not in comparison to anything else, because I don't want anything else to compare to my longing, love, and devotion towards God. I want that passion and zeal that comes with the realization of who God is, and I want to look up when I'm on a tight-rope and it's too scary to look down. Hard circumstances? God's got it. Yeah, yeah I know. Even David had doubts. Not all of the Psalms are happy-happy-joy-joy! But You know what? God was always there. And David was always delivered because of his faith and his heart.
I think that maybe, a heart that is after God's is in the process of being made after God's. Oh snap!
A heart after God's will become a heart after God's.
Thanks for that one, Jesus!
So, basically, I need to stop criticizing myself, and stop trying to fix myself.
If I want God's heart, and I do, and I hope you do as well, then what do I need to pursue? My own perfection? The "good" in me? Do I need to just break fewer rules and give more money to the church?
Um, I don't think that's it...
I think that I should begin pursuing, even more than I am, the thing that I want most.
God's heart.
Nope, definitely not the easiest, laziest choice. It requires alot of me, actually, all of me.
It requires complete surrender.
But oh......it is SO worth it.
You won't even know what hit you.
Join me in making the daily decision to pursue God's heart?
