And there it was again, Song of Songs!
The binding of my Bible is broken so that it automatically opens to Song of Songs. After a few times of reading over the words I’d underlined over the years, I ignored it and moved on to the Chapters I was studying (one chapter from each: OT, Psalms, Gospels and NT.)
This morning I opened the new Bible I received that accompanies my work through the AACC Mental Health Coach Certification. Guess what? Right. Again! Even with a strong binding: Song of Songs.
My eyes landed on the verse set apart on the page, “My lover is mine, and I am his.” In my old Bible, I had written in the margin, My Lord is mine, and I am his.
Coincidence?
I’m in the process of filling out an application to serve on the One to One Care team through my church. During my training with AACC, I only needed to discover the suicide rate in America (more than 42,000 people a year) to realize the great need and move forward in this area. There are so many hopeless, hurting people covering up deep, deep despair walking around. In some ways, on some days, isn’t it all of us?
Doesn’t everyone deserve hope, even if it’s just for the day? (My mom once asked me.)
I ask myself if there is anything more important than being a vessel of hope for another hurting soul? I was once hopeless and someone came to walk along side me, now it’s my turn to get serious about reminding someone else how deeply they are loved and known—One to One.
According to my NIV Study Bible, the phrase, “Song of Songs,” means the greatest of Songs—King of kings and Lord of lords. Think “The Messiah” and hear the music.
This Book of the Bible is of course a love song, a song of love between two people so precious, “if one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.”—its worth is unsurpassed. (vs. 8:7b.) The Book is also said to be an allegory of the love relationship between God and Israel, or between Christ and the church, or between Christ and the soul.
There it is.
Whether or not you view this as a coincidence—the opening up of either my new or my old Bible to the exact spot—isn’t really the point. I am reminded of Christ’s love for me. And that is the point.
The last big question on the One to One Care Application was this: Describe briefly your relationship with Jesus. I wrote that it’s a story of love, the greatest Love Story. Before we loved God, He loved us. Christ died for that love. How remarkable to be affirmed, God agreed with my answer.
Then Christ rose again! Which reminds me…
Do you remember that rose bush I wrote about called One Spring Morning? How I cut it back last fall because it had grown so tall? And how this past spring when I removed the burlap sack it was dead, dead, dead? So I cut it down to a stub and have been watching it all summer, watering and giving it Rose Food. Well, look at this!
Yes, love, redemption, transformation and new life, Christ Jesus gives us. God’s mercies are new every morning. I had a lot to say on the application about this relationship, but one picture says it all.
Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus, he’s always available for a One to One!
“Come away my lover (Lord) and be like a gazelle or like a young stag (display your strength and agility for my delight) on the spice-laden mountains.” (Song of Songs 8:14.)
Do you have a relationship with Jesus? If so, how would you briefly describe it? I had a hard time being brief…
Deb, I love you. Your love for Jesus, for others, …your words of promises and truth, of wisdom…they touch me all the time. I grew up in a conservative, well-doctrined home–filled with quiet secrets, yet a love from a large extended family. Though broken relationships, after “setting myself up” for failure, I didn’t think real love existed. It can’t for me. When I fell for the upteenth time, I fell “flat on my faith” (I “pegged” this when I began writing my blog 3 years ago after words built in me my entire life). Jesus was there. He told me I had to let go of all others. THEY didn’t chase him as I did. HE wasn’t THEIR FIRST LOVE. It was then I became exlusively Jesus’s. It’s the love I felt when I was 7 years old and accepted him. It’s even greater than the love I have for my sons and their families. When I ask, “Why am I still here?” he says, “You may be the only me they see.” “THEY”–the people around me who need hope. Oh, Deb,…I’ve wanted to throw in the towel before. But I just can’t. I’m so glad Jesus loves me as I love him. I just want to keep sharing with others how loved they are!! 💕💕💕💕🙏🙏🙏
Real. Rugged. Gentle. Love. Guiding, inspiring, communicating, place of calm; honesty, kindness and ever present. ❤️🌅✝️
Karla, our stories are similar. That’s no surprise. I was reading a blog post that popped up this morning on empathy. I’m sure, no coincidence. It hit me hard. I naively thought early on in my life and well into adulthood, I could love people well, when what I needed was to love myself better. Of course both of those only go so far without Jesus. But the realization that I was trying to help and then taken advantage of gave me such profound insight into my own “falls”. Funny, I took a tumble with Fannie on Monday evening, falling into the cement, knees, wrists, hip, shoulder, cheekbone. I even hit my front tooth but nothing is broken. I hurt but am so grateful, like my heart as I reflect. But God, the great Healer is doing such amazing healing in all areas of my life. I love you too and your love for Jesus always draws me into your words. Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts with me. Sending love 💕 and a big hug along with my prayers. 🌸🌹🙋🏻
Morag, so wonderfully stated! Simply beautiful.
Thank you, my friend. ❤️❤️
You are welcome 🤗❤️
Deb, I was reading your beautiful words and my heart literally stopped at your fall. My stomach sank (I’ve had several falls and have much empathy!). I’m SO GLAD you are o.k., …but I can imagine you are feeling it all now and maybe more as days go so I will specifically add this to my prayers. Thank you for allowing your space to be one where I can share. It’s so warm and welcoming; just like you! Sending healing “gentle” hugs, love, and prayers. 💕🤗🙏
Deb, My relationship with Jesus defies description, for no words can circumscribe His infinite nature. What a conundrum! How do I know His endlessness? Yet He fills Me with His Spirit to empower me to know all the Truth, which is His very essence. But also, He is Love, proved by His gift of Himself for me. He calls to listening, to rejoicing, to gratefulness, to health and peace and completeness. (How could there be any lack, in Him?) For now, I travel in aging flesh, but one day, I will be like Him, for I shall See Him as He is!
Oh, Jon, I know. There really are no words and I was surprised by the question to be brief. But maybe, in that, they are stating the same: there simply are no words. That’s brief! But your words are so beautiful, “He calls to listening, to rejoicing, to gratefulness, to health and peace and completeness. (How could there be any lack, in Him?)” And all the rest. And one day, just think! We will be like Him!
I love what you’ve written here— a collection of jewels to treasure. Thank you.
42,000 people dying every year by their own hands!? That’s a sports stadium full.🙁
I love ❤️ LOVE your thought about giving someone hope for one more day. It reminds me of Martin Luther saying, “If I knew the world end tomorrow, I would still plant my apple tree.”
David, yes, maybe two!!
❤️❤️
My relationship with Jesus is really simple. He loves me unconditionally and I provide the drama (while learning to love Him and actually show it).
Gary Fultz, that is priceless!