Discover His heart: He calls us to fellowship with Him and with all those we love
Indifference in a marriage or in any relationship is an indicator of trouble and disharmony, and it’s a signal to us that requires a response. I don’t care much for the old adage, “Familiarity breeds contempt,” but familiarity does sometimes cause us to take for granted those who are dear to us. The Young Woman of Song of Solomon responded to this challenge in our reading today and discovered the truth in another old adage, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
@ Song of Solomon 5
“I slept, but my heart was awake, when I heard my lover knocking and calling: ‘Open to me, my treasure, my darling, my dove, my perfect one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night.’ But I responded, ‘I have taken off my robe. Should I get dressed again? I have washed my feet. Should I get them soiled?’” (3-4) She heard her lover knocking and calling to her, but she hesitated to receive him because she had washed her feet? Well, she was asleep and obviously in bed for the night, but this doesn’t sound like the Young Woman from earlier chapters, so desperately in love. When she finally came to her senses, he was gone, leaving only the scent of his cologne on the door handle. Help!
When we take for granted the familiar and the comfortable, we miss an opportunity to enrich that relationship and secure its future. The Young Woman came to her senses, “I searched for him but could not find him anywhere. I called to him, but there was no reply.” He was already gone, and in her search for him, she met with further heartache and trouble. (7) The longer his absence, the fonder her heart grew as she remembered his handsome features, his love for her and their friendship. (10-16) We all love a story that ends well, and thankfully she finds herself with her beloved once again, a little wiser and more responsive to his love. (6:12) A valuable lesson for us.
Jesus addressed this issue on another level in Luke 9 when he called to those around him, “Come, follow me.” (59) Just like the Young Woman, they responded with Yes, but…“Lord, first let me return home and bury my father…Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family. But Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.’” (59-62)
Jesus was not insensitive to their family needs, but He was looking for devote followers. He is knocking and calling at our heart’s door as well and is looking for quick response without excuse, regardless of washed feet, sleepiness or family needs. When we respond to His call without hesitation, He helps us with the needs and challenges that may follow
We are challenged through our reading today to never take for granted the familiar, the love of our spouse, our children and our friends. If we have been hesitant in our response to them, we should seek them out and cherish our time with them. If we have been hesitant in our response to God, He is waiting to be found just like the Young Man, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,’ says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 29:13) May our hearts grow fonder for those we love without the need of absence or hesitancy to wake us up, and may we be ever ready to respond to His call.
Moving Forward: I’m listening for the knock, for the call from those who are so dear to me, never wanting to take them for granted. And I respond to His call for fellowship with me today.
Tomorrow @ Revelation 12-17
Phyllis Benigas 