Let Him kiss me with kisses—His Spirit-kiss divine. Song of Solomon 1:1 TPT
I looked at the face of Jesus and held His beautiful countenance in my hands, inches from mine. He gently kissed my cheek, my forehead, even the tip of my nose. Over and over, He tenderly kissed me all over my face. Leaning my forehead against His, I wept—overcome by His expressions of love for me.
I was attending a church conference where each session began with an extended time of worship. The voices of those singing near me pulled me back to the physical world, and I realized how funny I must appear. I felt embarrassed when I opened my eyes and saw my hands cupped in the air to hold His face. Each time this happened, Jesus whispered, “Just look at Me.” I would close my eyes, push beyond the distraction and self-consciousness, back to this incredible encounter, worshipping my Beloved who fixed His gaze on me. For an hour and a half, as the worship music played, our tender exchanges of love continued.
The second night of the conference, I hurried to the front where others gathered. The music started, and I closed my eyes. He was right there again, waiting for me. His love hit me like a wave, leaving me breathless and vulnerable. I leaned in as He kissed my right cheek, then slowly and tenderly all over my face. My voice wavered and tears rolled down my cheeks, as I kept repeating, “I love You Jesus.” Then, suddenly, I saw a cascading wall of red roses, like a massive waterfall tumbling down. The falling red roses formed a backdrop to His face, a stunning visual added to this holy and intimate experience. After the music ended, I returned to my seat, broken by extravagant love, but also perplexed. “What do the roses mean?” I thought to myself.
Slowly, over the ensuing days, it dawned on me—the roses were His way of romancing me. Like a man who, in an act of passionate devotion, hands his beloved a dozen fragrant red roses. Jesus revealed the magnitude of my effect on His heart when I pushed through my self-consciousness and returned my gaze only to Him. When I expressed my love for Him and received His love for me, I’d captured His heart. It had nothing to do with male-female earthly relationships. Rather, the roses are a metaphor of the heavenly romance of my Bridegroom King and me—His betrothed.
We affect Jesus. Our love, worship, and dedication move His heart.
He longs for those who have made Him their sole focus, for those who love Him without distraction. For those who respond to His invitations for intimacy. With His tender love, Jesus woos us to Himself, beckoning us closer.
He waits for you just beyond your self-consciousness, just past the distractions. He’ll help you get there, just as He did for me.
It is in this place we worship only Him and love only Him. Keep pressing in to find Him, to find His presence. In whatever way Christ reveals Himself, lose yourself completely in His embrace.
Donna Y. Gurr is a speaker and author devoted to delivering the message of the nearness of Jesus Christ—who invites us into a union so profound and intimate there is but one word to describe it—heavenly marriage. Having emerged triumphant through pain, betrayal, and disappointment, Donna found Jesus to be a deep well of strength, comfort, and sustenance. She longs to help others experience Jesus by encountering Him personally.
Her writings can be found in multiple Christian publications such as, Breakthrough Intercessor Magazine, The Upper Room Devotionals, The Upper Room Blog, The Quiet Hour, The Christian Journal, The Christ Collective, Published by Tall Pine Books, Doxology, A Collective, Published by Tall Pine Books, Swallow’s Nest, Published by Oregon Christian Writers.
Donna and her husband, Steve, and their rescue dog, Tui, live in Southern Oregon.