I wrote this on the plane two nights ago. It is a little more raw and I did not edit it to keep that sense in the writing. Felt a burden in my heart for this. Praying we all grow in passionate desire for God
This painting, while similar to the one of Reni’s painting of Francis is much more gut-wrenching.
Instead of sweet, divine love, there is passionate aching for the cross. I love how he seems to be screaming in passionate love for Christ on the cross.
I sent this painting to my dearest friend and he talked of how we have so many comfy seats in the church and not many screaming at the cross. In other words, not many ache for God.
When you go to church, do you try and touch God? Do you sacrifice a shout of praise? Or, do you just go through the motions as the singer sings and the teacher teaches?
The train of His robe fills the temple (Is 6v1), Jesus is present among the lamp stands/church (Rev 1v13,20), and this leads to one question; are you reaching out to touch Him? Are you aching for God?
My friend said that and I responded with this:
I want to be a man who as he gets older, weeps before the cross of Christ more and more every day.
I want to ache and attempt to touch God. I don’t want to play Church and walk in and do the same dance every week.
David says “sing a new song,” because God wants us to have new experiences with Him. It doesn’t have to be charismatic shakings or majestic visions of the third heavens. It’s looking at a mountain and experiencing the awe of God, it is talking to a loved one and feeling as God has knit your hearts are knit together, it is singing a worship song for the millionth time but seeing or hearing something new in Christ. As Samuel Rutherford says about seeing new things in Christ, “there is neither brim nor bottom,”
Jon Tyson says, “God comes where He is wanted.” I want God. That should be our heart cry. God, I want you here.
In the Church, I want You here.
In the coffee shop, I want You here.
In the cubicle, I want you here.
In the hospital, I want You here.
In the quiet stillness of my day, I want You here.
He comes where He is wanted. Tell Him you want Him today.
I exhort you to contemplate His glory and to ache as Jerome aches in this painting. Go to church this Sunday and actually attempt to touch God. Watch Him show up.
I always end my times of prayer with Psalm 73v25 “Whom have I in heaven but you? There is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.” You see, all I desire is found in Christ. All I ache for, all my little longings for carnal things are infinitely worthless compared to the surpassing riches of Jesus Christ. Pray that cry of the psalmist today, and watch as He walks into the room.