Spurred by Devotion

As I have been plucked from an ever-draining black hole, my general awareness of various things has been greatly perked.

While I do look forward to responding to a man's love someday, I understand what Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 7:33-35:

"But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord."

I've never been married, but even being in a relationship creates divided interests. As I work to show God I am devoted to Him in both body and spirit, I am far more aware of how my actions affect others, how others' actions affect me, my sinful tendencies, whether or not the contents of my heart offends God, the ways in which sin attempts to creep and devistate, and in so many other ways. Even my awareness of nature, weather, and feelings are heightened, too. Because I am no longer working to please humans in any way, my attention has thus been refocused and stayed on Jesus Christ. I love it. It's as if my desire to please Christ has grown after I relinquished my desire to please humans.

I want to cling so tightly to the cross that the world fades away around me. I want to bear the beauty of the blood of Christ and let it be the lense through which I view my Creator's devistated masterpiece. I want to be so wrapped up in my Bridegroom's pursuit that it surprises me when God's man pursues me. I want Christ to be my sole pursuit ever day, and I want to respond to His love with sweetness, courage, obedience, submission, joy, and smiles all around. What can I say? I'm smitten. : )