I have read through Hosea once before, but I think a lot of people skip over the book or aren't aware of the story that unfolds.
Hosea was asked by God to do a lot of things that he probably didn't want to. The biggest theme that runs through the book is that God loves you, He forgives you and He wants you back - no matter what. That doesn't mean that our sinful actions don't hurt God, but He begs us to return to Him and accepts us with joy.
When I was in college, I truly became saved. I accepted Jesus into my heart when I was 5. I grew up in a Christian school and went to church every week...but honestly, it was just me "going through the motions". I did love God, but I wouldn't say I was passionate in my heart about my faith.
My freshman year of college, my dear friend (who was like a little sister to me) Kalyn, passed away from cancer. This was devastating to my entire family. We had prayed and believed with every ounce in our body that she would be healed. The day she died, a part of my heart died too - and so did a lot of my faith. I was mad and angry. I couldn't believe God would allow this child's life to be cut short. What hurt the most is that I honestly believed and never doubted that she would be healed...but then she wasn't.
I struggled for the next 7 months, partying, getting mixed up with the wrong crowd, doing anything and everything I could to drown out the pain and sadness I felt. It was the lowest point of my life.
I am so grateful to God that He placed amazing people in my life - people who didn't give up on me and kept encouraging me to get back on track. It was hitting that low place that finally pushed me to REALLY become saved. That is how I found my life verse:
"Now I'm glad that you were jarred into turning things around. You let the distress bring you to God, not drive you from him. The result was all gain, not loss. Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. And now, isn't it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has brought you closer to God? You're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you've come out of this with purity of heart..."
- 2 Corinthians 7:9-12
We will never understand why God took Kalyn from us, but what I do know is that hundreds of people were touched because of Kalyn and her story. Without Kalyn, I may not have the faith or relationship that I do with God. She was more of a blessing in my life then she could have ever imagined. On top of that, I am always reminded of Hosea and also the biblical story of the Prodigal Son. God not only longed for me to come back to Him, but when I was ready, He forgave me and accepted me with joy...not begrudgingly, but with utter excitement and love.
It is the true definition of overwhelming, unconditional love.
I would love for you to join us this month for a study on Promises!