Love’s Endless Journey with Joy
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one's house for love, it would be utterly scorned. (Rev 3:20, Song 8:7)
It is a few days away from the beginning of the 40-day Lent season – traditionally a season of more fasting and less feasting. But let us conclude the joyful Song of songs first. The title of my reflections on the Song depicts a Lover in relentless pursuit of the beloved. Listen and hear how tenderly he calls out, patiently waiting for you to open the door, that he may come in for a warm sweet fellowship! Many commentators are quick to point at Jesus Christ as the Lover and the Church as the Beloved. Yes, it is true, but it is good to wait a little before the conclusion, and learn from the physical prototypical experiences we go through as they are described in the strong poem.
Many a story start with a girl in confusion over who she should marry – whether the rich guy she doesn’t feel for that much, or the not-so-rich (or sometimes poor) fellow with whom she is (almost madly) in love. Almost always – a the relationship that will last – the serious girl never lets go of her love until she marries the not-so-rich guy. When Juliet (who was madly in love with Romeo) was forced to marry the rich prince Count Paris, the community in Shakespear’s play ended in an ultimate swing from comedy to tragedy. The three were found dead on the same morning – as if to exemplify that ‘love is as strong as death’!
For never was a story more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo
The above experiences show that durability and resilience of true love – very strong indeed! The Climax of the Song of songs makes this point vivaciously, claiming the fire of love can’t be extinguished by many waters, rivers cannot sweep it away, and ultimately even much wealth cannot dent it, even a little.
If you have found love, just enjoy life together to the full. And yet for all of us – without discrimination –this Lover Jesus Christ longs to lavish his love; he is chasing after those who have not yet received him. His love is even stronger than what we have described above. Love must be celebrated here on earth in all purity as our Maker instructs; that is the only way we attain the full joy of this great gift. In fact the Song of songs draws our attention to all the nine-fold fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23), especially to self-control, patience and joy. On this Love’s Endless Journey, the Lover has promised his Beloved an eternal joy and peace where He has gone to prepare the place. Don’t you miss out!
God bless you all. Happy New Year!