It’s a risky thing to ask a girl out.I remember the fear as a twenty-something anytime I asked a young woman on a date. It felt like placing my heart in her hands for her either to hold or to crush.
So like a lot of guys, I tried to minimize the risk, read the signals, pick up on clues and cues to get a good sense of what she’d say before I ever put myself out there. If it seemed like she wasn’t interested, I wouldn’t ask. In essence, I wanted her to go first, to make herself vulnerable so I wouldn’t have to. I was a coward.
Not so with God.
Christmas reveals that God is a bold lover.
At the incarnation, God put his heart on the line. He went first. He took the risk of letting us know how he felt before we even dropped a hint.
Actually, it was more than that.
In a very real way, the incarnation is when Jesus put on His wedding clothes. And he showed up for a bride who didn’t know his name and couldn’t care less he had arrived. Because she was enamored with someone else.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16a).
When he first came to you, he moved across heaven and earth to find you. And with No on your lips and a door in his face, he gave himself in love for you.
This advent as you await his arrival, ready yourself to open the door and give him your Yes. Behold, he is bold, loving, and good; and he is at the door for you.
Question: What’s one way you can give God your Yes this advent season? How do you think he would feel about that? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below.
Getting ready,
Josh
***This article was originally written by Josh Glaser for Regeneration Ministries***