This reading is based on Songs of Solomon 3 that is read in accordance with the Revived by His Word initiative of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
"Do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases." Verse 5
This statement is implicit with the view that there is a right time for an intimate love relationship between a man and a woman, and that by extension a warning against entering into this kind of relationship prematurely. Intimacy requires maturity or could otherwise set one up for major emotional scarring. There are also other implications about relationships in this passage.
Implication 1: Loneliness is not an excuse to "settle" for any "mate" who comes along; seek for one worthy of your love, not for anyone who just happens to be available. Love in this regard is a choice to open yourself to intimacy (eros) with an individual, based on certain criteria being met, and in no way suggests that we should love (philia) some persons, while we dislike others. May I suggest that there is just one love, but there are appropriate ways of expressing it - depending on whom you're dealing with. How might this counsel especially young Seventh-day Adventist women who are languishing from the seeming dearth of eligible young men, and who consequently are settling for non-Christian mates in worrying droves? In the spiritual sense also, shouldn't we be cautious about making choices based on things like a miraculous healing experienced, or the fact that we may have had some desperate "need" met? Whatever our circumstance, we should hold out for truth.
Implication 2: An eligible mate should be SOUGHT - not in the sense of pursuing per se, but that the eyes and mind should be actively engaged in identifying an eligible prospect. We should sift through the criteria. Reasonably however, one should put oneself in a position to observe or be observed by an appropriate possible prospect. Here I believe that an active engagement in mission (wherever that takes you) does help the cause.Get up and go! You take care of God's business, and He'll take care of yours (as He deems best for you). It might just be that God has a mate for you at your next mission post.
Implication 3: In trying to make a choice it will become necessary to seek the counsel of others. Ask the "watchmen," (verse 3). Read, talk to your pastor, talk to trusted/respected family members and friends. Sometimes you're too emotionally charged to see the truth. A similar mode of investigation should accompany the pursuit of the Truth about God.
To read and/or listen to Ecclesiastes 3 and to read other related blogs, please click here.
Photo credits: Click here
No comments:
Post a Comment