“In Rapture” by Franciszek Zmurko (c. 1900), National Museum in Warsaw (Accession No. MP 3946), Source/Author cyfrowe.mnw.art.pl/pl/zbiory/453259, (PD)
“Rose Castorini: Listen, Johnny. There’s a question I want to ask. I want you to tell me the truth, if you can. Why do men chase women?
Johnny Cammareri: Well, there’s the Bible story. God. God took a rib from Adam and made Eve. Now, maybe men chase women because they want the rib back. When God took the rib, He left a big hole there, a place where there used to be something. And the women have that. Now maybe, just maybe, a man isn’t complete as a man without a woman.”
—Moonstruck
Many of us enjoy romantic comedies or rom-coms as they are called. Moonstruck happens to be a favorite of mine. Boy meets girl. Boy loses girl. Boy gets girl. And they both live happily ever after.
Trite as many rom-com plots are, they contain a kernel of truth about the importance and the power of love. At some level we all recognize that. It is the reason we find the boy’s pursuit of the girl engaging.
Sadly, as survivors of childhood abuse, we may settle for unresponsive partners or avoid relationships entirely. We may not, therefore, have known the sweetness of courtship. Or perhaps courtship was followed by the horrors of domestic violence.
How much more meaningful then is God’s pursuit of us? That pursuit began in the Garden, when sin first separated man from God.
“Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, ‘Where are you?’” (Gen. 3: 9).
God’s love for us has not diminished, though sin continues in the world to the present day.
“I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good, According to their own thoughts; A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face; Who sacrifice in gardens, And burn incense on altars of brick” (Isa. 65: 2-3).
Wherever we are, however lost we may be, He seeks us out.
“For thus says the Lord God: ‘Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out’” (Ezek. 34: 11).
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15: 4).
Indeed, He welcomes us with open arms though we have strayed.
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” (Luke 15: 20).
God’s love is so great that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3: 16).
At this very moment, He waits on our answer.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3: 20).
Greater even than erotic love, this is agape or selfless love on God’s part. Ever after included. That truly is a love story, and one available to all.
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ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 
Yes! The love of God towards man is the greatest love story of them all! All should be eternally grateful that He pursues us with a love unmatched by any other. Great post Anna!
And so many do not know it, Ron.
What a perfect Sunday message! It was not until recent years that I learned about the agape concept (and instantly walked away thinking my entire life’s limited understanding of the Bible was turned on it’s head in a wonderful way). The way you worded this was perfect for me. Have a blessed week, Anna.
–Scott
Am so glad you liked it, Scott! 🙂 You have a blessed week, too.
The gospel is at heart a love story, the greatest of them all, and you tell it well here. When Christ Jesus returns in glory, the last chapter will be written, and a new beginning of “happily ever after.”
Thank you for reminding us how God loves us. It’s so comforting and utterly wonderful to know that his love is pure, true and good. Moonstruck is one of my favourite movies too.
🙂