Gods Jealousy for You
Jealousy isn't a behavior we would typically attribute virtue to. But God still describes Himself as jealous. His jealousy for us can be characterized as strong, undying, un-wavering and persistent. This "jealous" behavior of God is not like human jealousy. God is jealous, not because He's worried or afraid but because He knows what and who we were created for and won't stop until we discover that. Exodus 20:4-5 says,
“You shall not make for yourself any idol, or any likeness (form, manifestation) of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth [as an object to worship]. You shall not worship them nor serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous (impassioned) God [demanding what is rightfully and uniquely mine],"
We were created for the purposes and pleasure of God. We were created to love and be loved by Him. Everything else is secondary to this all-consuming purpose.
Lately, I've been feeling the jealousy of God for my affection. I find Him gently but very intentionally removing things from my life that I've given my affection to that is reserved for Him. He isn't doing this because He's possessive or insecure. He's doing this because He knows those things don't hold satisfaction or fulfillment for me.
I'm finding that God will not allow our lives to be wasted on things that fade. He will not allow our affection to be given to things that are not worthy of it. Not only did God create us, He paid a very high price to have relationship with us in giving His son, Jesus, to die on our behalf. If you have given your life to God then you've accepted a lifelong pursuit by God for your heart. He will not stop until He has all of you.
At times, it can be hard to recognize when we've given the affection, reserved for the Lord, to something or someone else. There are many things in life that happen that are very near to our hearts. Even after 18 years of relationship with the Lord, I can still cross over this line without realizing it. I've found, to protect my heart, God will give me moments or short seasons of experiencing what He has for me and then He will remove it to give me a season of prioritizing my affection towards it, only to bring it back around. It look me a long time to recognize that process. I'm an all or nothing type of person so it makes sense that this would be His process with me. Obviously, we're all different and He knows each of us intricately. Your process may look different but I challenge you to pay attention to recurring processes like this in your life. Every new level of favor, promotion, or increase of any kind comes with a new need to set boundaries with our affection. And let me say, some processes are harder than others. There's pain in the process of prioritization especially when the line is unclear. Our hearts can become very connected to new roles, new relationships, etc.
Recently, I was praying and processing with a close friend. I was telling her about this time in my life right now. I told her about how I was feeling the jealousy of God over my life. As I spoke, tears streaming down my face, I felt the Holy Spirit rise up within me. I said to my friend, "My whole life might be a gift just for Him. He may never release me to do anything else and it would be entirely worth it." In that moment I could feel the jealous love of God for me. I was created solely and entirely to love Him and be loved by Him. That's it. In this, we have freedom from the "cares" of this life. He is the fulfillment of us. He is the satisfaction of our hearts.
