In the shadow of the beauty of His love, she can't help but wonder if she falls short. She has never known a love like this before. He steps back and waits for her to choose Him. As He moves toward her, she recognizes His voice and longs for Him to meet her in the places she hides.
“My beloved said to me, ‘Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. Songs 2:10-11 TLB
He speaks life into her, offering His hand as His love begins to renew her mind. Jesus does for us what we could never do for ourselves.
In seasons of doubt, I have a tendency to hide. It's difficult for me to see the beauty around me when I'm fearful of what's ahead. I've never been one to like change very much at all; nor do I naturally enjoy the journey.
I remember as a child I loved the warm weather, but I grew up in a place where it didn't last very long. I loved the vibrant colors of the Fall (and miss them terribly), but Autumn was always a shadow of the coming Winter, so I especially loved the Spring. Spring meant that the captivity of winter was ending. The curtains blew in the wind as we opened the windows to let the fresh air in. Beautiful flowers were in bloom and the warmth of the sun was on my skin. Now I live in a place where there are virtually no seasons at all and everything is always green. The older I get, not only do I miss the physical change in season, I also realize that change can bring excitement, even hope; something to look forward to. But as I said, I normally don't like change. It's like God is teaching me that I have to walk through, rather than around the seasons in my life. It's not always easy for me to recognize the beauty in change—but change isn't necessarily a bad thing—like when God turns barren winter into fruitful spring or when He gives beauty for ashes.
Spring symbolizes new life; the difficulty is wading through the winter where everything seems as though it has died. God, in spring, gives a visual that He makes all things new. He sometimes asks us to walk a difficult path. If you find yourself in winter, rest assured, new life is bursting forth, spring is coming.
The leaves are coming out, and the grapevines are in blossom. How delicious they smell! Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.’
“My dove is hiding behind some rocks, behind an outcrop of the cliff. Call to me and let me hear your lovely voice and see your handsome face. Songs 2:13-14 TLB
She seems hesitant. He reminds her that He's chosen her and again calls for her to arise and come. He's inviting her to run with Him to the beauty of being together; where He can lavish her with His love. We have all we need in Jesus, yet we hesitate don't we? It's easy to say, Jesus is all I need, but is He? Do you find yourself trying to fill what's empty? He's come to hide you with Him in God.
“The little foxes are ruining the vineyards. Catch them, for the grapes are all in blossom. Songs 2:15 TLB
Sin can cause us to run away from God, but God, in His grace, never stops pursuing us. However, until we are honest about the fact that we do run from Him, we can't really know Him personally." Is there a part of your heart that you haven't given to Jesus? What is it that gets in the way of your ability to experience Him fully?
“My beloved is mine and I am his. He is feeding among the lilies! Before the dawn comes and the shadows flee away, come to me, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.” Song 2:16-17 TLB
Was she allowing fears of separation to set it? Have you ever doubted God's love for you? His protection? Your worthiness of it? When difficulty comes, He's aware doubt can follow. Transparency with the Lover of your soul brings freedom. God is bigger than your doubts and He wants to demolish the walls you've erected. He can move mountains, but until you're ready, He waits for you.
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:19 NLT
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