inspired reading

Over the past year, I have probably read more than the last several years of my life combined. And I'm starting to see a pattern in the things that I've been reading. Each book has brought me deeper in love with Jesus.

It all started when I finally got my hands on Captivating. It took me almost 6 months to read the whole thing, but when I finally did, the Lord really started moving in my life through the revelations from it. In a nutshell, what I learned from reading and studying Captivating is that God made me the way I am for a reason. As a woman, my heart longs to play an essential role in an exciting adventure, longs to be romanced, and longs to be found beautiful and captivating. And that I am. In order to really believe these things about my heart, I had to see what held me back from believing them. I had to come face to face with my "demons", so to speak. With my past. With the lies in my head and my heart that would try to tell me otherwise. It wasn't pretty. But I began to get some real breakthrough in my life, and for the first time, see things as they really were.

Then I read a book called Thy Hidden Ones. This book helped unravel the mystery of the book of the Bible: Song of Solomon. Not only that, but it helped me see that Jesus is not just my Lord and Savior, but the Lover of my soul! Reading this book really helped me ignite a love for Jesus in my heart, like never before. No more could I see Him as only a master or a friend. He is the Bridegroom and I am His Bride.

After that, I read a book called The Sacred Romance. This book painted a picture of the world in a way I had never thought to look at it. As a romance. I fell more in love with the Lord with almost every chapter. And now I can see that a romance is all He ever wanted.

Ironically, after that, I read The Twilight Saga. I never thought I would be one to read these books. But after having so many friends read them and talk about them all the time, I have to admit, I got a little jealous. I wanted to be a part of the club. So, when Jeremy left for a month in Mexico, I decided it was as good a time as any to start. At first I was skeptical, thinking because I wasn't reading a "Christian" book that I might be doing something wrong. Ha. But as I got further into it, I realized that truth is truth, no matter where you find it. The principles of eternal love, self-control, loyalty, sacrifice, and so much more were throughout the pages. And I could see, ever so slightly, the picture of a Lover, longing for His bride. Ya, its not a perfect analogy here, but its neat how God will use things to teach us about His character.

Now, I'm starting to read a book called The Secret of the Stairs. This is another book about the Song of Solomon, this time taking the reader through the journey of developing and maintaining an intimate relationship with the Lord. I'm only in the first chapter, and I can already tell its going to be life changing.

I'm so grateful for these books that God has used to help me understand His love for me more. The book that best describes that is, of course, the Bible. And I'm so thankful for the revelation of it! I hope to one day write a book of my own, on whatever God tells me to. But until then, I'll just keep reading.