Summary
"The Sacred Romance: Drawing Closer to the Heart of God," by John Eldredge and Brent Curtis, explores the profound longing for intimacy, beauty, and adventure that lies deep within every human heart. It suggests that this longing isn't a mere human construct but the very voice of God calling us into a unique and personal love affair with Him. This book challenges the notion that the Christian life is merely a set of principles or ethics, arguing instead that it is a passionate love affair of the heart. The authors contend that many modern Christians have lost touch with this central truth, leading to a sense of emptiness and disillusionment despite their outward religious activity.
The book delves into the mystery of the heart, examining the expressions we use to describe its significance in our lives. It contrasts the 'outer life' of duty and obligation with the 'inner life' of passion and dreams, highlighting how modern society often suppresses the latter in favor of efficiency and performance. The authors introduce the concept of a 'Sacred Romance' that whispers to us through various experiences, inviting us to a life of intimacy, beauty, and adventure. This Romance, they argue, is often obscured by the 'Message of the Arrows,' the pain and affliction that teach us to distrust our hearts and live only in the external world.
Eldredge and Curtis explore how life's arrows cause many to 'lose heart,' leading to addictions, affairs, and a general sense of weariness and vulnerability. The book challenges readers to reconcile these conflicting messages by rediscovering a larger story, a 'cosmic drama' in which God is the central character. They discuss the 'wildness' of God, who allows both blessing and suffering to shape our hearts and draw us closer to Him. The authors then explore the idea that, at its core, our relationship with God should be viewed like our relationships with each other - the ultimate love story. Just as with human love, we need to be vulnerable, open and honest to have it flourish.
Ultimately, the book emphasizes the centrality of the heart in the Christian life, urging readers to 'guard your heart' above all else. It invites readers on a pilgrimage to rediscover the lost life of their heart, to remember the voice that once called to them in secret places. This journey involves exploring the hidden questions of the heart, born out of personal stories, and recognizing how those stories are interwoven with God's great Romance. By embracing this Romance, the authors believe, we can find our way home to the Lord Jesus Christ and live a life that is both truthful and passionately alive.