stay

Stay with Me. There are so many love songs with this pining sentiment expressed.

We were created in God’s image.

He loves us like that.

I want you to hear that.

Hear His desire for you.

There is a well-known story in the bible that is the book of Ruth. After her father in law has died, after her husband has died, a young widow speaks a famous line to her mother in law Naomi. “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.

Let me weave that with another story of a similar theme, where a man tells his older mentor that he will not let him out of his sight. The story of Elijah and Elisha where in fact as Ruth did, Elijah seems to WANT to dismiss his pupil, for him to go away. 2 Kings 2:2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here please, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”

Three times Elijah tests Elisha and each time Elisha responds the same that he will NOT leave Elijah’s side. I used the word test on purpose because indeed that is what it was. Elisha had to be willing to go further in his journey to receive his “mantle”. This brings another quote to my mind.

On to the New Testament now, Jesus has just fed the multitude (at least 5,000 people) with the two loaves and five fish that had been given to Him. He then went on to explain that they should follow Him.
Jesus, sitting with the twelve in full knowledge that not all men around the fire had hearts burning for him said, “will you leave me also?” and Simon Peter gives that famous reply, in John 6:66.

Many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” 68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.”

I believe each of these stories is a picture of the kind of relationship God desires to have with us. One that refuses to be sent away, to walk away, to be offended. One that sees and knows the power of life that rests within our relationship with Him.
There are numerous love songs that express the desire of the human heart to find a loved one. Someone who just wants to STAY.

STAY with me. Be devoted only to me.

We were created in His image. Hear His desire for you.,

You don’t have to do anything or say any correct words.

Just talk normally. Ask Him stuff