Ambassadors For Jesus - Part XXXII: Bible Reading www.ambassadorsforJesus5.com For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ~Hebrews 4:12 The next day Camille woke up with the dream still on her heart and mind. It was as if something really took place in the spiritual realm and she just knew it came from God. It also appeared to be an answer to the question she had been pondering in her heart that night. Although Camille still felt hurt she had discovered a renewed hope for genuine love in her future. By appearance she hadn't recognized the man in her dreams, but at a deeper level she knew it was the Lord. It gave her a desire to know Him more intimately and she turned to her bible for help. As she read through some of the passages she found herself disheartened to discover that it still did little to hold her interest. The task then became burdensome and in frustration she closed her bible wondering what was wrong with her. She hated to admit that although she went through the motions of her faith, God and his Word held little appeal to her. Beyond her dream encounter He seemed distant and she didn't find his Word engaging. No wonder she failed to hold Alex attention, he loved to talk about the Lord and his Word but when he did she often found herself just as bored as she did now. Camille knew that similarly Alex also didn't seem much interested in what she was interested in and desired. Was God interested in the things she cared about? Her eyes filled with tears as she thought about how distant her desires may be free his. Although Camille had previously suppressed the thought these detached and disinterested feelings due to the fear of what that said about her, this morning she finally shared her heart with the Lord, confessed her lack, and asked Him for a desire and understanding of his Word. After opening her bible again she found herself in Psalm 45. "Now that sounds like the perfect man, and there is honor and position for his wife and children," she said to herself and liked it for she desired the same. Could it really be that God care about the things she cared about? Camille continued roaming through passages to then find herself in the book of Hosea. "A love story with drama," she said to herself with much interest. Camille was a romantic at heart and enjoyed a good love story. It surprised her to find God telling his prophet Hosea to marry a prostitute yet it would be an example of how his people had betrayed his love. If God could arrange such a marriage for one of his surely there was a man of God for her...after all, she didn't go around sleeping with men even if she did enjoy flirting. Reading through those opening chapters her heart was deeply moved and her eyes filled with tears once again. It was a heart-wrenching story of gross betrayal and a love so strong it remained faithful and true nonetheless. She then realized God knew what she was going through in a very intimate way for He's also been the recipient of unrequited love. His passionate words and other generously expressed emotions was not something she was accustomed to associating with Him. The way her neighborhood frowned on emotions she had adopted the attitude that they were a sign of something amiss and weakness...and she had often felt ashamed for giving into hers. As she continued to read through the book of Hosea Camille acknowledged that she had likewise betrayed God's love by playing the prostitute at heart. Even so, she wanted someone that could love her in her mess and willing to take her on as she was...and God did. Oh, she had heard and read of his great love before but she had often felt He didn't want her anymore when she strayed from her walk with Him. It just wasn't so. Her actions may not always be pleasing to Him and there may be disciplining that follows but his love, desire, and faithfulness was rock solid. God deserved first place in her life and to be loved by her wholeheartedly for she knew there was no one else that could love her with such intensity. She told Him that she wanted to love Him foremost and for Him to have first place in her heart. Afterwards Camille ate a light breakfast and got ready for her morning dental appointment. She then proceeding to her garage and entered her car, but as she turned the key in the ignition it wouldn't start. Camille made several more attempts to get the engine going but it refused to respond. Recalling Jim's offer to help she then went back inside her house and called him. "Hello Jim." "Camille, what's up?" "I have an appointment at the dentist in just over an hour but my car won't start. Can you give me a ride?" "Miss me already hum?" Generally she would play along but she was growing wearisome of playing the flirt. Instead she responded with, "Don't flatter yourself Jim. I thought of calling a cab but I don't know how long they will take and I don't want to miss my appointment." "I'll be right over," he replied with no sign of being put off. Fifteen minutes later he was knocking on her door. While heading out she said, "That was fast. I thought it would..." then froze in mid-sentence as she saw his motorcycle in the driveway. "Jim, where's your car?" "It's in the shop, I'm waiting for a part to be delivered before fixing it." In horror she looked at the bike and said, "You don't expect me to get on that thing do you?" He handed her a helmet and replied, "Sure do fancy face." He then got on the bike and waited for her to mount. Shaking her head she said, "Oh no, thanks but no thanks. Sorry to waste your time but I think I'll go ahead and call that cab." "Ok, but you're going to be very late, may even miss your appointment. I've never known them to respond in under an hour." Camille knew this was true. Their local cab service had a terrible reputation for being consistently late and the other cab companies would run the same due to distance. After carefully considering the situation she then said with resignation and irritation, "Oh, alright, but be careful. I had a dream last night with a frightful scene involving reckless driving." "You got it," he replied then as she mounted instructed, "Hold on to me." "In your dreams," Camille exclaimed suspiciously, "I'm fine just as I am thank you," then rested her hands on her legs. "Suit yourself," Jim nonchalantly shot back while he started the bike and took off with a quick start. He smiled as he heard her scream in fright and felt her hold onto him for dear life. Pleased with himself for convincing her to hop on he had decided it was high time he showed her how to cut loose and have some real fun. "Slow down, slow down," she pleaded with her eyes closed and her face buried in his back. Jim laughed as he replied, "I'm only doing 30 and we're not even out of the neighborhood yet. You had better get used to it now because it's only going to pick up." After turning onto the main road he asked with genuine concern, "Camille, are you ok? It's awfully quiet back there." "I'm praying," she said which only made him laugh even more. "Sure, laugh at my expense. You can be sooo infuriating. You know what your problem is? You..." but she never got to finish her sentence as she screamed once again when he picked up the pace. "Be nice," he berated. "That's not fair, I'm in no position to argue. Just pleassse, be careful!" "That a girl. That wasn't so hard, was it?" he asked while slowing down. "Can't you go any slower?!" "Not if you want to get there today. Besides, I'm already going under the speed limit." After a few minutes of steady driving Camille's fears began to subside and she started to take in her surroundings. This was not her idea of getting around but feeling more secure now she began to appreciate the ride. Before she knew it they had arrived Jim had parked in front of her dentist's office. She then carefully dismounted his bike, removed her helmet, and handed it to him. "I must look dreadful," she said as she worked on her hair with her hands. Jim laughed again, "As if you could. To be honest, I think it's an improvement." "You would," she replied disapprovingly but inside she was quite complimented. "What time shall I picked you up?" he asked. She looked at him as if he was nuts but Jim wasn't easily deterred. He then informed her, "I'll be back in an hour," as he started his bike up again. Camille was surprised to find herself replying, "You had better make it two, I'm getting a root canal." "Two hours it is," he said before smiling to himself again and riding off. Part XXXIII Where's Your Faith?