Lopsided love is rare in fairy tales--the prince doesn't ever seem to choose the mousy, chubby chick and the princess doesn't pick the servant guy who is tall and thin like a string bean. In teen flicks, the football star doesn't choose the band geek and the cheerleader doesn't ever seem to fall for the captain of the debate team.
Why is that?!?
I often wonder if it's because a lot of people tend to keep score in relationships. We think things like, "I'm not financially stable enough to date that girl--she wouldn't fall for someone like me" or "That guy is REALLY cute--he wouldn't go for a girl over a size 3"...even when these concepts might not be true.
While the examples I've given above are all related to external factors like social labels and appearance, lopsided love is also rare because of internal reasons. The really sweet, kind guy typically doesn't fall in love with an abrasive woman...and maintain a healthy relationship. Happy marriages aren't typically found between couples where one readily admits, "I kinda love you--but not as much as you love me."
Can love be lopsided--and work?
In today's passage, this excerpt from God's message to His people stood out to me:
'Obey what I tell you. Do exactly what I command you.
Your obedience will close the deal.
You'll be mine and I'll be yours.
This will provide the conditions in which I will be able to do
what I promised your ancestors:
to give them a fertile and lush land.
And, as you know, that's what I did.'"
The bold text got me, "You'll be mine and I'll be yours." It sounds like part of the wedding vows--but it's God proposing this exchange to His people back during Old Testament times and today, too.
It's like He's saying, "You give me your last penny and I'll give you all the bazillions I have. Okay?" Like that's a fair trade!!!
God wants our obedience. He wants all of our hearts. But all of our hearts don't even come CLOSE to all of His heart--and that's what He's offering! Unbelievable.
God's love for us is completely lopsided. It's over-the-top, indescribable, insanely beautiful...but true.
Tomorrow: Jeremiah 14-17
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