Have I told you the story of how Taylor Hollingsworth proposed to my daughter Elisabeth?
The night before what turned out to be the Big Day, Taylor had suggested to Elisabeth that perhaps they might hang out and go shopping together the next day. The way he presented it made it seem casual enough, so she was in no hurry to get going and ended up sleeping most of the morning away.
When she finally awoke, he came and picked her up. Heading out in the car, there just happened to be one of their favorite songs playing on the car stereo. And then, perchance, they suddenly came upon one of those places that had been special in their courtship. And of all things, at that special place, there was a note in a bottle! You guessed it–the note was to her! And it gave a clue that led them to still another special place. Back in the car yet another of their favorite songs was playing. This pattern of songs and special places and clues continued over the next several hours and grew into a chronicle of sorts, of all the ways their relationship and love had grown.
Finally they were directed to a beautiful scenic overlook with the valley far below. The sun was setting, and he got down on one knee…
What had he been doing? All day long he had been directing her heart to his love–reminding her of the many facets and hues of their growing love. She didn’t stand a chance! And the outcome was, of course, YES!
I think the prayer of 2 Thessalonians 3:5 expresses a similar intent: “May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God.”
About this prayer John Piper says, “This is a remarkable phrase! The heart has directions. It moves toward one thing or another. It moves toward what it regards as attractive and satisfying and valuable. So Paul is praying that God would give the heart a sight of the love of God as more attractive and satisfying and valuable than ordinary earthly things….” 1
Why? Because if our hearts pause for just a moment and catch even a glimpse of the love of God, we won’t stand a chance! We will be completely swept off our feet and the only possible response we will have is, YES!
Why not reflect for a bit on the love of God in your life? Take a few undistracted moments to direct your heart into the love of God. Count your many love-blessings, name them one by one.
Blessings,
Paul
1 desiringgod.org