Okay, so I know it's been quite a while since I've posted about a book. It's not that I haven't been reading . . . I'm just finding it hard to even begin to summarize this book. I read it last August and really liked it, but it was even better the second time around. For those of you who have never heard of Captivating, it's the women's version of the Wild at Heart book by the same author. BUT I really think that both women AND men should read this book (same with Wild at Heart)
A few days back in My Utmost for His Highest (June 3rd in fact), it was called "The Secret of the Lord" (Check it out). This reading was very similar to what Captivating had to say about a woman's heart, so I thought I would pass both on . . .
"One of the deepest ways a woman bears the image of God is in her mystery. By 'mystery' we don't mean 'forever beyond your knowing,' but 'something to be explored.' 'It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,' says the book of Proverbs, 'to search out a matter is the glory of kings' (25:2). God yearns to be known. But He wants to be sought after by those who would know Him. He says, 'You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart,' (Jer. 29:13). There is dignity here; God does not throw Himself at any passerby. He is no harlot. If you would know Him you must love Him; you must seek Him with your whole heart. This is crucial to any woman's soul, not to mention her sexuality. 'You cannot simply have me. You must seek me, pursue me. I won't let you in unless I know you love me.'"
"Women yearn to be known and that takes time and intimacy. It requires an unveiling. As she is sought after, she reveals more of her beauty. As she unveils her beauty, she draws us to know her more deeply."
Okay, so hopefully any of you women AND men reading this are nodding in agreement that that's what women are like. But have you actually considered that that's what God is like? I mean, really consider it. Women--what if you talked with God, spent quality time with Him, pursued Him like you desire (don't tell me you don't have that desire) to be pursued? You want your husband/boyfriend/anyone to talk with you and ask you questions and share their struggles AND joys with you. Well, is there anything stopping you from treating God the exact same way? And the great thing is, your efforts won't go unnoticed! There are some people you can pour your heart and soul into, but you feel like you get nothing in return. Well, that won't happen with God--sure there might be times where He feels more distant because He's putting you through a test, but you never have to doubt Him. He is always there for you--ready for a real intimate relationship.
And men--if you haven't figured out by now that women desire to be pursued--take some notes! ;-) Some of you write us off as just being too complicated, but have you considered that God made us that way? He is giving you a glimpse of what His own heart is like. So if you're going to call us complicated, you'd better be prepared to call God the same thing. But really, is complicated such a bad thing? I don't think so, but then again, I'm a woman . . . :-) Anyway, men--do you handle your relationship with God the same way you handle your relationship with your wife/girlfriend/girls that are friends? If not--the same thing I said to the women--give it a shot. He won't let ya down! :-)
Okay, and while reading this, do any of you sense some apprehension? A small voice in your head saying, no this is dumb, or it's not really worth it? I'm gonna go out on a limb here and call that voice Satan. Yes, I know it's bold of me, but I think you'll understand where I'm coming from after I pass on another excerpt from the book . . .
Satan has a special hatred for Eve because she is the incarnation of the Beauty of God. That was Lucifer's (which means Son of the Morning which infers glory, brightness, radiance unique to him) role before he fell. Ezekiel 28:12-19 is a prophecy against the King of Tyre but is also said to be a representation of Satan's rebellion. Read it. I thought it was pretty interesting :-) So the book goes onto say that Satan especially hates women because they have taken over his role of Beauty and because they give life instead of death. Kinda makes sense that he would hate us when you think of it that way, huh? And makes me want to beat him down all the more too!
"The most wicked force the world has even known, the Enemy, bears a special hatred for Eve. If you believe he has any role in the history of this world, you cannot help but see it. The Evil One had a hand in all that has happened to you (women). If he didn't arrange for the assault directly--and certainly human sin has a large enough role to play--then he made sure he drove the message of the wounds home into your heart. He is the one who has dogged your heels with shame and self-doubt and accusation. He is the one who offers false comforters to you in order to deepen your bondage. He is the one who has done these things in order to prevent your restoration. For that is what he fears. He fears who you are; what you are; what you might become. He fears your beauty and your life-giving heart."
Yeah! Satan fears us--anyone else feel a little empowered by that? But of course, we cannot have victory over Satan except with God. And this is God's heart towards us in Isaiah 62:1-5. Ahh, that sounds better. :-)
"You really won't understand your life as a woman until you understand this:
You are passionately loved by the God of the universe.
You are passionately hated by His Enemy."
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