Dear Friends and Readers,
Before jumping into a new writing schedule, I thought it best to share a more personal note first, to ease into things a bit. As explained in the last email, my old blog is now retired, and by God’s grace, a new study in the Song of Songs will begin!
Well actually, it’s not a new focus. I used to blog about it regularly, but then bought a new business, got married, and experienced various trials and challenges that weren’t expected, including the death of my mother and best friend. Adjusting to all these things was much harder than I thought, and I have regrets in certain areas that I still struggle with to this day. Through it all, however, the Spirit of God has been wooing me back to a quiet place of peace and purity again. And, to trust God’s ability to finish what He begun.
“Then from the mouth of the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent,” ~ Revelation 12:15
“…so as to mislead, if it were possible, even the elect,” ~ Matthew 24:24
It is here that I would like to get more personal, but don’t exactly know how. It’s just that sometimes the “twists and turns” of life can come at us so fast, that it feels more like surviving a hurricane! A shaking so fierce, that one is left stunned for awhile, unable to put into words what just happened, or how it happened.
I think it’s times like this to remember that we are in a spiritual war – and this unseen battle is ultimately for the reconciliation of all things to Christ. It’s very real, and can be very costly at times.
But is this not to be expected? Are we not informed that when there is a breaking forth of the revolutionary and holy “intimate Kingdom” upon the earth, that there will be spiritual warfare against it? (See Acts 14:22) And like any war – sometimes there will be casualties. And like any war – sometimes there will be injuries that cause lameness, or spiritual “post traumatic stress” issues. All of this can be discouraging, especially for the heart that wants to see an ultimate victory for the Kingdom of God – not any kind of setback, or apparent defeat.
I get that. But fortunately, no matter how dark things get, none of us can stop the inevitable progress of God’s ultimate intention. It may take more time than it “should,” but the ending of our story is a good one, and it is already written.
Remember Where You Have Fallen
And make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:13
And I give unto them eternal life; and they will never perish, neither can any man pluck them out of my hand, John 10:28-30
Over and over again the last few years, I’ve been reminded that we have a choice. Repentance does not mean perpetually living under the oppression of remorse or regrets. Or “wishing” things were different. Repentance is the act of turning around 180 degrees and going back in the heavenly direction you were originally headed. Related to one’s relationship with Christ – it is to “remember where you have fallen,” and then immediately, “do the first works again” that you once did when you were in love with Him. (See Revelation 2:5)
This is important! This is life-changing! And besides gratitude and humility, this is what God’s grace is supposed to work in us.
Now What?
I don’t know. Not everything is certain when walking by faith. And moving towards intimacy with Christ is not easy when many of our friends and family seem content with surface things. There’s the fear of being alone, and the fear of failing, to deal with. But as William Wallace in the movie Braveheart said to his tentative, ragtag army,
“Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you’ll live… at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin’ to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take… OUR FREEDOM!”
Does any of this make sense to anyone? Does anyone resonate with the desire to go deeper, harder, and be more vulnerable with God and others for the sake of the Kingdom (i.e.”true freedom”) – despite any cost or risk?
Then stay tuned. Because in the days and weeks ahead, (God willing) we will attempt to unpack all of this more, particularly as it pertains to the Song of Songs.
It might not seem immediately evident – but there is hidden in the tender story of Solomon and the Shulamite a very real struggle, and a warfare against their love.
They have a relationship that will deeply challenge us, and take us somewhere new. If we are willing.
