Thursday, February 13, 2014

love and intimacy

I took up the challenge of reading The Song of Solomon. Throughout history folks have held different opinions regarding how to study this particular text with some even avoiding it completely. I decided to read it because I am a firm believer in teaching the full counsel of God given to us in the canon of Scripture. Or to put it more simply, I am convinced that all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Without getting too much into the theories of interpretation, a first reading of the book centers upon the relationship between a husband and a wife. There are many practical applications to be found when reading this particular text.

Because of what Paul says about marriage reflecting the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5), a second reading informs and strengthens the Church's relationship with her husband.

The book itself is filled with expressions of intimacy. The husband and wife share a deep desire for one another.

Draw me after you (1:4)
Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly delightful (1:15)
Let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely (2:14)
My beloved is mine, and I am his (2:16)
I sought him whom my soul loves...I will seek him whom my soul loves...when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go. (3:1,2,4)
You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride (4:9)
This is my beloved and this is my friend (5:16)

While I hope this intimacy becomes a mark of the relationship between my soon-to-be-wife and I, I desire more to have it mark the relationship between me and great lover of my soul, between the Church and her Groom.

I want to draw after, delight in, see and hear, seek after, and be captivated by the One who died and rose again to bring me life. I want to hold onto Him and not let go. And I pray the same for the Church as a whole. May our love for our Husband trump all other affections and desires. May it flow from us into a world starving for the true love poured out on us. 

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

working out

Because I started lifting weights again...


...And I've encountered just about every stereotype in this video at one point or another in my gym crossings.