The love of God is not something that is easily understood if we have never felt love in our lifetime. Being unwanted and rejected can wreak havoc on our psyche. It doesn’t have to be overt, physical rejection, it can be emotional – that subtle understanding that you are not wanted. I wonder if Mary Magdalene felt the sting of being ostracized for her “seven demons”, or if Ruth struggled with feeling excluded because she was a Moabite.
The Bible makes it clear that Mary Magdalene and Ruth were both accepted and loved by God, as demonstrated by their place in history. Christ revealed himself to Mary Magdalene following His resurrection (John 20:15), even before his disciples were able to see that Christ had indeed risen from the dead. Ruth accompanied her mother-in-law back to the land of Judah, leaving her native country of Moab. She married Boaz, and is the great-grandmother of King David (Ruth 4:17).
God looks past labels and societal norms and knows our very thoughts and our heart. He understands our journey and how our experiences have affected us individually. Not everyone will react to circumstances in the same way. Our temperament and other factors determine our unique reaction and lasting effects of adverse situations or trauma. God knows. And He wants to heal.
More than providing for our material or physical needs, God wants fellowship with us, although our past experiences will often determine how we think God should answer our prayers. As an example, the Israelites had been waiting for their promised Messiah, believing He would come and destroy their enemies. Their expectation precluded them from seeing Christ as their Messiah who conquered sin and death by his sacrifice on the cross, which was so much more powerful than merely defeating their known enemies at the time.
When love has been absent or fractured in our lives it naturally affects our understanding and relationship with God. We tend to bring our understanding of a fractured love to our relationship with God, although He does not. God is faithful, and through his love for us, will not promote our dysfunctional view of love, but rather patiently guide us into a meaningful, healthy and loving relationship with Himself. He does not give up easily, and will take the time to bring us to a place of secure love when our hearts are set on Him.
“Seek the favor of the Lord, and He will grant you the desires of your heart.” (Psalms 37:4, Tanakh) “Hope deferred sickens the heart, but desire realized is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12, Tanakh) There is a reference in Revelation to the “Tree of Life” which is believed to be Christ (Revelation 22:2). God wants to be the desire of our heart, through His Son Jesus Christ, who gave his very life as the required sacrifice for our sin.
God’s desire is for us. “Nevermore shall you be called “Forsaken,” Nor shall your land be called “Desolate”; But you shall be called “I delight in her,” and your land “Espoused.” For the Lord takes delight in you, and your land shall be espoused.” (Isaiah 62:4, Tanakh) Whatever has taken place in the past, God says you shall no longer be called “Forsaken”; He delights in you. It’s an amazing concept for anyone who has felt the sting of rejection.
It’s all about relationship. God knows and understands our hurt and pain and is patient and kind in his effort to draw us to himself.