I am now going to allure her

Allure – the quality of being powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating.

It’s Autumn, and already I am looking forward to Spring.

I have to go through winter and all the wet and cold, but I know better times are coming when my senses are filled with the fragrance of spring flowers.

Why do flowers have fragrance?

Well, it’s to attract insects to come and pollinate them.

Those beautiful flowers have an alluring effect on those little critters. They can’t help themselves and they have to go to the flower.

My favourite verse in the Bible tells me that God is like this too.

“Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. Hosea 2:14

God was talking about those who had decided he wasn’t the best flower in the garden.

They had gone off to other flowers, other God’s.

They had chosen the second best option rather than the best. They wanted to be in control of their lives rather than allowing God to fully embrace them.

There was stubbornness in their hearts. They had rejected God because he required vulnerability and repentance.God had a plan though. He was going to be alluring to them, irresistible, giving them a taste of His Love.

They still had a choice. They could still reject and walk away. But Gods heart is unbelievably gracious. He would draw them to him out of share love.

Then he would take them to a desert experience where there would be trials. Where they had to rely on him more than on their own strategies to get through life.

They would see his provision for them in their need.

Chess players go mad; Poets never do. G.K. Chesterton (Like that? Tweet it!)

I don’t think Mr Chesterton had a particular issue with Chess players, he was just passing on an observation that people that try and formularise life, make tight strategies, and be legalist, often go quietly away from where real life is.

The poet embraces the mystery and looks to the rhythm of the dance to provide the possible next step of life. It’s an adventure.

There is an alluring effect to this dance.

May you at times just ‘stop and smell the roses’.

Find God alluring you.

Follow the trail of scent, be vulnerable, and be open to his touch.How has God been ‘alluring’ to you lately?Barry Pearman
Image by Allen Hsu Creative Commons