lessons from Hosea the lover

I have always been facinated by the prophet Hosea. What woman wouldn't be facinated by a man who loved so selflessly and relentlessly...makes my heart beat faster just thinking about it! A few years ago, God made the story of Hosea and Gomer very personal and real to me. I could see how many times I had behaved the whore toward God and He had fiercely pursued me with his love -- making me loveable because of His holiness. Amazing love...

My sister Alicia introduced me to an album by Derek Webb about a year ago. The lyrics from one song took me back immediately to Hosea:
"If you could love me as a wife
And for my wedding gift, your life
Should that be all I'll ever need?
Or is there more I'm looking for
And should I read between the lines
And look for blessings in disguise
To make me handsome, rich and wise
Is that really what you want?
'Cause I am a whore I do confess
But I put you on just like a wedding dress
And I run down the aisle, I run down the aisle
I'm a prodigal with no way home
but I put you on just like a ring of gold
And I run down the aisle
I run down the aisle to you.....

So, God gave me grace to confess my Gomer ways and accept His Hosea love.
Now, He's taking that story and asking me to see it from a new perspective. He's asking me to become a Hosea lover. And the whore? His bride, the church.

Have to go to work...will post again to finish this thought....