Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

I will call you by name

Monday, December 21, 2015

Song of Songs 2:10, 14
My lover speaks and says to me, "Arise my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one, and come! O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret recesses of the cliff, let me see you, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and you are lovely."

Yes, this really is in the Bible. And there's more where that came from. Beautiful, erotic images of the relationship between lovers. As much between God and his created one as between men and women.

How does it feel to read this? Remembering that one helpful definition of eros is life force, when I read these words I feel their erotic power. God invites me into the secret recesses of his world and mine, to discover I-don't-know-what, to discover what God wants for me, what God has in mind for me.

These words are for you alone, and for me alone. For each of us, one-on-one with our creator. Of course we must leave the sunlit meadow and enter the cave, a cleft in the rock. Come into the darkness, my dove, my beautiful one.

How can I remember that these are not the words of a tempter wanting to take advantage. They are the words of the one who loves me. I would spend more time with God if I trusted him to love. Surely I know better, but I am afraid to enter that darkness.

It's a womb, not a funhouse. This is not about haunting or danger, but about warmth and cuddled up safety. God can see in the dark, and he protects me. So I think I'll go on up there and call out, and hear his voice call my name.

No better time, Lord, than this darkest, longest night of the year to risk loving you. Show me the path, show me the doorway, give me courage to walk right in.

Devotions Archive

I will call you by name

Monday, December 21, 2015