My love, my friend

Today: Song of Solomon 1-8

Attention all readers of today's passage: You did not accidentally pick up a Danielle Steele novel with a Fabio look-a-like on the cover. This is not a poem by William Shakespeare. I promise--Song of Solomon is actually part of the Bible.

Or perhaps today's passage didn't sound romantic to you? I'm a pretty sentimental chick myself, but I wouldn't exactly swoon over a guy who compared me to a well-groomed mare, who likened my chest to mountains (um...it's definitely not at sea level, but I'm no Dolly Parton either!) or compared my hair to a flock of goats. Times were different for the writer of Song of Solomon, I guess. :)

I'm joking a little, but this book of the Bible is different. It may seem odd to you after all, there's little mention of God. This is a passionate story of romantic love and it may seem a little steamy for Scripture, right?

However, it's important to remember that God is love. He created men and women to love Him as God, but He also created men and women to love each other...and to love each other as husbands and wives. Although Song of Solomon may appear strange to some, it's a poetic illustration of people who love each other and enjoy life to its fullest (similar to what I wrote about yesterday).

There's a lot in these chapters about physical love and desire, but it was also interesting for me to read about the pride these two lovers had in each other. Here's one quote from the woman:

"Everything about him delights me,

thrills me through and through!

That's my lover, that's my man..."

And one from her guy:

"There's no one like her on earth,

never has been, never will be.

She's a woman beyond compare..."

These two people are unabashedly crazy about each other. While their love is passionate, I think it's interesting that Song of Solomon also portrays their friendship. I thought these Scriptures were absolutely beautiful:

"...You've captured my heart, dear friend.

You looked at me, and I fell in love.

One look my way and I was hopelessly in love!

How beautiful your love, dear, dear friend..."

Most human beings have a desire to be loved this way--we want someone to think we are "beautiful from head to toe" or the handsome guy who "stands above the young men in town." All of us want to experience the deep love of a friend. But finding a true friend who will love you for life as your spouse? That is a miracle. Thankfully, I believe in a God who makes miracles happen every single day. :)

Tomorrow: Isaiah 1-4

"Easy street" faith

Today: Job 35-37

"When you leave here today, you're going to have the same eye color. You'll be wearing the same clothes. You're not going to be perfect. You're not going to stop facing challenges. But you're making a fresh start...and God's going to be with you."

Every weekend my pastor says something like this at the end of each church service. He says it to people who have just decided to believe in God and ask Him to lead their lives. I'm really glad he does--because there are a lot of people who have what I'm calling today "easy street faith." In today's passage, Job's long-winded friend Elihu (yes, the same guy we heard from yesterday) seems to hold that philosophy. Here's what he said to Job about people who follow God:

If they obey and serve him,

they'll have a good, long life on easy street.

Hmm...interesting theory. Too bad it's wrong. I'd love to say that since I've believed in God and served Him, that I've had a perfect life. Don't get me wrong--my life is better because God's in it, but it's far from perfect.

If we look at Jesus Himself (perfect God in flesh), it's clear that loving God and following what He says doesn't lead to easy street. It lead Jesus to Calvary, a cross and a painful death (though not to cut the story short, it also lead Him to resurrection and eternity in Heaven!).

For all of us that are simply human, we make mistakes that have consequences. Even when we don't necessarily mess up, the people around us might--and that could have a major impact on us. On top of that, we're human beings--we eventually die (and so do people we love). We feel pain and sickness and heartache.

I know that last paragraph could sound like a major downer--it's not meant to! I'm trying to actually take pressure off anyone who feels that because they love God, their lives should be picture-perfect...and they're not.

I'm also trying to encourage anyone who's mad at God because of their not-so-easy street lives. God's not to blame for that. And here's the really cool thing--in the midst of whatever you and I face (good and bad), God's there. He wants to listen and help. Mostly, He will always love.

Tomorrow: Job 38-39

Friend love

Today: 1 Samuel 18-20

This weekend many people will celebrate a holiday. Some refer to it as Singles' Awareness Day...which is just SAD. :) For others, it's simply Valentine's Day, a time to be celebrate love. They may buy cheesy gifts like the Hug-E-Gram or a giant stuffed gorilla that's the size of a three-year old. Or they may simply treasure a perfect moment with someone else and think, "How did I ever get so lucky? So blessed? To experience this kind of love?"

But do you remember when Valentine's Day was a little more simple--and yet, still amazing--for virtually everyone?

I remember elementary school Valentine's Day parties where my classmates and I decorated special envelopes with our names. I brought cards (and usually candy) for every kid in my class. I thought carefully and wrote something completely deep and poetic on every card...like "You're cool." or just "Your friend, Jonita." But didn't it feel amazing to get cards from 24 other kids?!? To celebrate the simple love of friends?

The love we have with and for our friends can be very simple...or deep...in its beauty. Friendship is a special kind of love. It's something that we can choose, but yet some friendships have the fingerprints of being God-ordained.

I loved reading about the friendship of David and Jonathan in today's passage. Though his father tried to murder David, Jonathan's friendship with David was so strong that it outweighed family ties. Take a look at his words here:

"...May God do his worst to me if I let you down!

If my father still intends to kill you,

I'll tell you and get you out of here in one piece.

And God be with you as he's been with my father!

If I make it through this alive, continue to be my covenant friend.

And if I die, keep the covenant friendship with my family—forever.

And when God finally rids the earth of David's enemies, stay loyal to Jonathan!"

Jonathan repeated his pledge of love and friendship for David.

He loved David more than his own soul!

Wow. The friend love of David and Jonathan was defined by commitment and sacrifice. Those are gifts that definitely beat Hug-E-Grams. :) Be that kind of friend. And if you have experienced friend love like that, consider yourself amazingly blessed. Take a moment to say "thank you" or send an actual card (not an e-mail). I promise--even if it says, "You're cool", a true friend will appreciate it.

P.S. BONUS! Last year, I wrote a little bit more about the friendship of David & Jonathan--check out this post called "Super Sidekicks."

Tomorrow: 1 Samuel 21-24