Scripture Passage
Scripture Focus
Kiss me and kiss me again,
for your love is sweeter than wine.
(Song of Solomon 1:2 NLT)
Observation
Okay, I confess—I don’t know where to start—not because I don’t love the Song of Solomon, but because—properly understood—the language is quite explicit and the emotions quite personal. Though metaphorically, it pictures Christ and His love for His bride (us—the Church) I’m convinced it’s not primarily metaphorical but rather, a quite down-to-earth poetic expression of passionate love between a man and a woman.
Which—hey—I’m all for! I’m just not all about commenting on it for the whole world to read.
Still, that’s my commitment, so I’ll throw out two thoughts for consideration. The first is this repeated refrain of warning…
Promise me, O women of Jerusalem,
by the gazelles and wild deer,
not to awaken love until the time is right.
(Song of Solomon 2:7; 3:5; 8:4 NLT)
“Hey kids,” he says, knowing a few love-struck senior citizens need the same warning, “all that glitters is not gold! Just because they’ve looked your direction or maybe whispered sweet nothings in your ear doesn’t mean they’re the one who will fill your days with utter and unending bliss!” Stop with the deep breathing—take a deep breath instead—and give your head a chance to clear before presuming “this one” is the “The One.”
The second thought is more for me—both what I always want and always want to live by: If you *do* love somebody…if there *is* someone the Lord has brought into your life…as part of a life-time, I-commit-my-world-to-you relationship…do all you can to make sure they know it—on their terms!
I’m a pretty firm believer in the “love languages” concept—the idea that we receive and express love in one of (probably) five fundamental ways—talk, touch, gifts, time, service. (For more information, click here.) My love languages are talk (more accurately, not just “talk” but “words of affirmation”) and touch (funny how those got listed first). Man, if there’s anything Song of Solomon is about, it’s talk and touch. No wonder I like it. How great is a woman who says to her man…
Kiss me and kiss me again,
for your love is sweeter than wine.
(Song of Solomon 1:2 NLT)
The point is this: Hey, if you love somebody…if your commitment is to love someone…discover best how they experience love, and then give it to ‘em—in large, undeniably generous doses. I dare you.
But not before the time is right, you hear me?
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