I’ve never been much for romance novels. Boy meets girl, boy falls in love, boy loses girl, boy wins girl back. Beautiful people loving, leaving, and refusing to speak out or reach out at critical times, going round and round until finally one turns to other and says, “Enough.”

Recently, I offered to review a romance novel by Carrie Turansky entitled Surrendered Hearts, and something occurred to me as I finished the last chapter.

Isn’t this the story of man and God? A divine romance penned by the Creator of the universe Himself.

It starts in a garden. A safe and beautiful spot. The perfect setting for romance.

Enters Man. God sees it is not good for him to be alone. Woman is invited into the garden. And God sees that it is very good.

The triune God finds the man/woman has won a part of His heart no other can occupy. He woos them close in a solemn bond of love that is intended to last forever.

Then it happens. The antagonist deceives and the romance is broken. God loses Man. And shame replaces intimacy.

For over 5,000 years, God’s object of romance is fickly toying with His love —drifting in and out of His Life, refusing to speak out or reach out at critical times, going round and round with the world’s temptations.

Finally He says, “Enough.”

And then the cross. The final declaration of unending love. And a resurrection that promises eternal hope.

Fast forward to today. We are the final chapter. We are the bride He desires.

Unfathomable love. And the most amazing romance of all.