About 3 weeks ago we began a series unoriginally entitled Love, Dating, Marriage and Sex.  We began with the foundational truth that all of life, even Love, Dating, Marriage and Sex, is for the glory of God.  We also acknowledged that romantic, sexual love was created by God and is something that is extremely powerful; as it paints a picture of and points us to--Christ.  Love's power makes people do crazy things.  As we launched into the series we have decided to look at love in a similar fashion to looking at the ocean.  The ocean is majestic, powerful, beautiful to perceive with one's eyes; yet very uncertain and mysterious. 

Lisa and I enjoyed this truth on our honeymoon, as we cruised in the Gulf (basically an ocean).  One night I remember looking over the rail, as we stood on one of the decks, and thinking and verbalizing the question...what would happen if we fell overboard?  As we gazed down to see what would await us... the answer was clear--the canvas of color and motion that we were delighting in from above would have become our instant grave...were we to throw ourselves into it. 

So that was our launching point...because in order to properly navigate this thing called love we have to make sure that we understand that the world's teaching of--abandon yourself to love is absolutely ridiculous and deadly. I mention all of this only to set up the book that I want to recommend to anyone who is struggling with finding joy and fulfillment in Christ.  The book is Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller.  I picked it up yesterday and have not put it down since. 

If you are a hopeless romantic who finds that he is more hopeless than romantic...the second chapter is for you.  If you are a hopeless romantic who finds himself truly wrapped up in romance; and you find your identity in the love relationship...the second chapter is for you.  The second chapter, Love is Not All You Need, looks at the tragic love, or loveless, story of Jacob and Leah.  A story, that a few weeks ago in our Chronological journey, spoke to my heart as we were preparing to journey into this series.  The story truly is a real life drama that seems to have gotten its script from Proverbs 30:23-which basically states that an unloved woman who is married is truly one of the great burdens of the earth. 

As some of you look to the near future; or even consider the wife/husband you have already chosen, I believe the following statement from Keller needs to be wrestled with and eventually I pray it will be taken to heart:

"If you get married as Jacob did, putting the weight of all your deepest hopes and longings on the person you are marrying, you are going to crush him or her with your expectations.  It will distort your life and your spouse's life in a hundred ways.  No person, not even the best one, can give your soul all it needs." 

As wonderful as my wife is (or yours might be)... she cannot bear the weight of godhood.  This idea of bearing the weight of godhood begs the question; "Who or what am I crushing under unhealthy expectations?"  Keller's book explores other counterfeit gods and constantly points the reader to the only true and living God and His glorious and Only Begotten Son, Jesus.  So if you are looking for a good book to read alongside your reading of His Word, I highly recommend Keller's Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters.

It is my prayer that there will come a day in your life, like the woman at the well in John 4, when you realize that there is only one well that will truly slate the thirst of your heart...His name is Jesus!  If you are looking to guys/girls/gold or glory--know this for certain--none will satisfy.  Christ alone!

In His Grace,

Mike