He draws His beloved to Himself by awakening Love in her heart. Desire stirs within. The closer she gets, the more she realizes her need for Him, and her feelings of complete unworthiness come alive.
Allowing her outward circumstances to define her, she hears him, but looks away in sadness. Life has consumed her, leaving little time to look within.
The [Woman]: “Don’t look down on me, you city girls, just because my complexion is so dark—the sun has tanned me. My brothers were angry with me and sent me out into the sun to tend the vineyards, but see what it has done to me!” Songs 1:6 TLB
Circumstances define us. The world defines us. Others define us. So much time is spent trying to live up to who we think we ought to be, instead of being who we were created to be. I've come to realize that the veil of deception is as thick as it is immovable in my own strength.
The [Woman]: “Tell me, O one I love, where are you leading your flock today? Where will you be at noon? For I will come and join you there instead of wandering like a vagabond among the flocks of your companions. Songs 1:7 TLB
She longs to be known. We were crafted with an inherent desire to be fully known—yet hide behind a veil—deceiving ourselves into believing we're okay. Why? Because the alternative is to look inside. Looking inside, facing what's fractured, and acknowledging neediness can be too painful. But if you ask, He'll lead you there. Are you willing for Him to dig into those delicate, broken places within?
King Solomon: “If you don’t know, O most beautiful woman in all the world, follow the trail of my flock to the shepherds’ tents, and there feed your sheep and their lambs. What a lovely filly you are, my love! How lovely your cheeks are, with your hair falling down upon them! How stately your neck with that long string of jewels. We shall make you gold earrings and silver beads.” Songs 1:8-11 TLB
The truth is, His love has already torn the veil in two. We so easily lose sight of that by taking our eyes off of Him and putting them back on ourselves. When I do this, and I do, I must lean into what I know, and remember what I saw, by following the path back to the places we met face to face.
We shall make you gold earrings and silver beads. It's the Trinity, together, who begins the journey to freedom—in the grip of Grace. Dance with Him, won't you?
The [Woman]: “The king lies on his bed, enchanted by the fragrance of my perfume. My beloved one is a sachet of myrrh lying between my breasts.”
King Solomon: “My beloved is a bouquet of flowers in the gardens of Engedi. How beautiful you are, my love, how beautiful! Your eyes are soft as doves’. What a lovely, pleasant thing you are, lying here upon the grass, shaded by the cedar trees and firs.” Songs 1:12-17 TLB
As a dove who has no peripheral vision, her beauty is enhanced as she fixes her eyes on Him. Focus beloved. Distractions will come. Remember, the veil is torn in two. Will you walk through it? Will you bring your cares and burdens with you?
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord. "And I will bring you back from captivity...." Jeremiah 29:13-14a NIV
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