My Beloved Speaks

My beloved speaks and says to me, Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth. (Song of Solomon 2:10-12)

Song of Solomon 2; I Kings 4:32

What Is God Saying?

The Song of Solomon provokes many allegorical interpretations. It points to God's love for Israel and Christ's love for His Bride, the Church. It celebrates the gift of human love. Many references seem to underscore Christ as one of the lovers-for example, the names Rose of Sharon and Lily of the Valley (2:1). And there is the invitation to Communion, "He brought me to the banqueting house and his banner over me was love" (2:4). But our interest at this time is in the Song of Solomon as the celebrati0n of God’s words of love to us in the blossoming of springtime.

How Does This Apply To Us?

We consider how the love of God awakens us from the wintertime of indifference and unresponsiveness to the springtime of life, faith, and joy. "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?" So God is continually bringing new springtime into our lives. We do not escape the chill of winter, but we are sure that springtime will return. Eventually, we realize that we can live through winter because the hope of spring and the power of the risen Christ is always in our hearts.

Pray With Me

Your call, dear Lord, is a call to beauty and joy. It was love that awakened me from the deadness of winter. It was love that stirred me from slumbering. I did not and could not realize in such a state that heavenly springtime had already come to this earth. I was not aware that flowers and bird songs have blessed the land. I could not see that life was bursting with beauty. O beloved Christ, Your voice came in kindness to save me from the stupor of pride and indifference. Dreams can be so beguiling.

Yet in patient love, Your voice insisted. I walk forever in the presence of the Lord, the beloved, who burst through the sealed tomb of death to bring eternal springtime to humankind. Your touch has awakened me, and I am glad. Your voice has called, "Rise up, My love," and I obey.

In the name of Him, who conquers winter's death and gives eternal spring. Amen.

Moving On In The Life Of Prayer

Let us be confident that Christ will bring the freshness of spring into our lives. It may be winter all around us, and the earth may be frozen, but prayer based on the power of His resurrection can bring us into springtime. That is springtime—any Time and all the time. That is Jesus, and He is ours.