My first pregnancy had my heart and soul.

That growing baby consumed my every move. I showered cold. I held my breath at gas stations. I drank only bottled water. I refused hot tubs, lunch meat, pain pills, sunscreen, permanent markers; I was really over the top.

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God professed His wholehearted love for His people, even though they had been unfaithful to Him time and again.

Jeremiah warned they would be exiled to Babylon for their unfaithfulness, for their love of idols, for their disdain for the poor, but as is written in Jeremiah 32, God assured them that when their hearts were repentant they would one day be returned to their beloved Jerusalem. Permanently.

The Jewish nation introduced God’s love to the world. Since Jesus, it is clear God is offering His heart and soul to all people. Scripture shows us that God lovingly pursued cruel Ninevites, proud Babylonians, bold Roman centurions, dishonest Jewish tax collectors, simple fishermen, rule-enforcing rabbis, and idol-worshiping Greeks. His heart and soul are eager for ANY repentant people. He invites us all to be born into His family.

He wants to lavish His love on all people and plant those willing securely in His New Jerusalem, in heaven, with Him.