Jealous Kind

"Jealous Kind" by Jars of Clay

I built another temple to a stranger
I gave away my heart to the rushing wind
I set my course to run right into danger
Sought the company of fools instead of friends

You know I've been unfaithful
Lovers in lines
While you're turning over tables with the rage of a jealous kind
I chose the gallows to the aisle
Thought that love would never find
Hanging ropes will never keep you
And your love of a jealous kind
Love of a jealous kind

Trying to jump away from rock that keeps on spreading
For solace in the shift of the sinking sand
I'd rather feel the pain all too familiar
Than to be broken by a lover I don't understand
'Cause I don't understand

One hundred other lovers, more, one hundred other altars
If I should slow my pace and finally subject me to grace
And love that shames the wise, betrays the heart's deceit and lies
And breaks the back of foolish pride

God calls himself a jealous God (see, for example, Exodus 20:5). God wants us, only us, and fully. He wants our complete selves. No idols, no piles of money, no overflowing closets, no baggage, no strings binding us to other things. God wants our souls to come to him.

We bait God, I think. We provoke his jealousy a thousand times a day when we chose anything over him.