Scruffy Valentine
God asked Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman named Gomer. She was a prostitute, probably not by initial intent, but now trapped emotionally and spiritually in brokenness. She kept running back to her old life and Hosea would have to go and rescue her. God asks Hosea to love her faithfully even when she didn't fully grasp his unconditional love and would return to her brokenness. Hosea is a picture of God's love for us. We are His "scruffy valentine." But God doesn't give up on us. He pursues us and calls us to Himself.
We're broken:
- Damaged by the corruption, harshness and abuse of the world.
- Wounded by our own selfishness and greed.
- Scarred by our failures in the past.
- Intimidated by the bullies who push us into corners.
Look at what he says:
| I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. 20 I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD. (Hosea2:19-20) |
God betrothes you and me, the scruffy valentine, to Him in love.
That's what Ash Wednesday is about.
We are scruffy and broken.
But He loves us, forgives us and makes us whole.
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