Lately, I’ve been mulling over something that hit me like a wave: It’s okay to romanticize my Lord and Savior. Not in any inappropriate way—just letting my heart soar with awe, imagining Him in the most beautiful, captivating light possible.
The word “romanticize” means to see or describe something as more attractive, better, or more interesting than it might seem on the surface. And since we’ve never physically seen Him face-to-face, why not? We can take the highest highs from our best human relationships—the tenderness, the laughter, the unwavering support—and multiply it a million times over. That’s closer to who He really is. The lowest lows from hurtful moments? The betrayals, the overreactions born of fear, the times we’ve wounded others (or been wounded)—those don’t exist with Him. He never crushes, never disappoints, never lets us down. No deficit. No negative. Only perfect love, constant encouragement, and grace that overwhelms our failures.
Think about it: In our closest relationships—spouses, children, friends—we experience beauty and brokenness. But with Jesus? It’s all beauty. No fear-driven overreactions. No trauma left behind. He sees us wrapped in His love, holy and unstained (Ephesians 1:4 TPT). He chose us before the foundation of the world, lavishing every spiritual blessing on us as a love gift (v. 3). We’re His inheritance—picked out like treasures because He knew our hearts would respond.
This idea shifted everything for me. In the Bible Belt where I live, I’ve seen (and once lived) faith that’s more idea than relationship—no daily check-ins with Dad, no leaning into the Holy Spirit who lives inside us (the coolest supernatural reality ever!). But when we build real intimacy—with the Father, the Word, the Spirit, Jesus—it never disappoints. Hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12), but longing fulfilled? A tree of life. And our longing in Him is always fulfilled.
Ephesians 1 (TPT) keeps igniting this fire:
3Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts!4And in love he chose us before he laid the foundation of the universe! Because of his great love, he ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence.5-6For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One, so that his tremendous love that cascades over us would glorify his grace —for the same love he has for the Beloved, Jesus, he has for us. And this unfolding plan brings him great pleasure!7Since we are now joined to Christ, we have been given the treasures of redemption by his blood—the total cancellation of our sins—all because of the cascading riches of his grace.8 This superabundant grace is already powerfully working in us, releasing all forms of wisdom and practical understanding.9 And through the revelation of the Anointed One, he unveiled his secret desires to us—the hidden mystery of his long-range plan, which he was delighted to implement from the very beginning of time.10 And because of God’s unfailing purpose, this detailed plan will reign supreme through every period of time until the fulfillment of all the ages finally reaches its climax—when God makes all things new in all of heaven and earth through Jesus Christ.11 Through our union with Christ, we too have been claimed by God as his own inheritance. Before we were even born, he gave us our destiny; that we would fulfill the plan of God, who always accomplishes every purpose and plan in his heart.12 God’s purpose was that we Jews, who were the first to long for the messianic hope, would be the first to believe in the Anointed One and bring great praise and glory to God!13 And because of him, when you who are not Jews heard the revelation of truth, you believed in the wonderful news of salvation. Now we have been stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit.14 He is given to us like an engagement ring, as the first installment of what’s coming! He is our hope-promise of a future inheritance which seals us until we have all of redemption’s promises and experience complete freedom—all for the supreme glory and honor of God!Paul Prays for the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation15 Because of this, since I first heard about your strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and your tender love toward all his devoted ones,16 My heart is always full and overflowing with thanks to God for you as I constantly remember you in my prayers.17 I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know him through your deepening intimacy with him.18 I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination, flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of his calling —that is, the wealth of God’s glorious inheritances that he finds in us, his holy ones!19 I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power20 that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted him to the place of highest honor and supreme authority in the heavenly realm!21 And now he is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is ever praised, not only in this age, but in the age that is coming!22 And he alone is the leader and source of everything needed in the church. God has put everything beneath the authority of Jesus Christ and has given him the highest rank above all others. 23And now we, his church, are his body on the earth and that which fills him who is being filled by it!
He wants us to experience this—not just know it. Wisdom and revelation to know Him deeper. Power that raised Christ, now available to us. All we have to do? Get up. Like the father in Mark 9:24 who cried, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” Or the woman who rose in faith—Jesus said, “Get up,” and her life changed forever.
When doubt or unbelief creeps in, ask boldly (James 1:5-6 TPT): “If anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you… but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace.” Ask empowered by confident faith—no wavering. He gives liberally.
This truth makes me feel like a warrior one day, peaceful calm the next—His Word meets us exactly where we are. It turns everyday moments into worship. No more giving authority to fear, flesh, or the world’s matrix. Everything bows to Him.
What about you? Have you let yourself “romanticize” Jesus—dreaming big about His tenderness, His pursuit, His power? Or is there another part of Ephesians 1 screaming to your heart right now? Share below—I read every comment and love praying over them.
Let’s keep deepening this intimacy. He’s waiting, arms open, ready to lavish more. 💕
(If you’re craving more, join our Friday chats or grab Authentic Relationships—it’s a gem from 2003 by Wayne and Clay Jacobsen that sparked this whole conversation. Pure gold on real, life-giving connection.)
