When you read the Bible do you look at it as a love letter? Do you view the Bible as a type of romantic literature? Why or why not? Step out of our comfort zone and lets start talking. I want you to keep reading but before you click off of today’s message scroll to the bottom of the screen and answer the questions above.
Spend much time in the Book of Song of Solomon? This book shows intimacy and romance on a different level. It’s not your typical raunchy story full of sex, lies, and murder but it connects us to God in a different way. It shows God as our lover. God created us out of love so isn’t it fitting to read the love letter written for our spiritual growth and nourishment?
Often times the human in us have to see tangible things to understand the unknowns or the unseen things. For example growing up my dad always told me God’s view of man and woman is like God to the church. By daddy saying this I learned from a very young age not to abuse the word love. I learned not to take love for granted and how I should treat a man and how I should be treated.
Daddy had to have read Song of Solomon a lot because he often spoke of the love stories in the Bible. He once caught me reading Zane books. To him that was filthy trash, to me a 16 inexperienced but growing into curiosity, I thought it was good stuff. Daddy if you can hear me now, I would have to tell you that you were right the Bible is all the juicy details of a long lasting love story.
This morning I want you to consider the many friendships in your life. As you consider these friendships, I want you to take a moment to reflect on how much giving and receiving go on in your relationship. Is the giving and receiving evenly distributed or is it a one way street? Are you always giving and never on the receiving end? Or are you always there to lend an ear but then when you need a shoulder you end up seeing the backside of that person and smelling the rubber burn as they scurry in a hurry?
Have many relationships like that? If you do, it’s time to take a self assessment and see if you are in way contributing to the toxicity of that relationship. I’m going to go a step further this morning since I’ve been out of my writing element for a while- I’m just going to dive right in. Is your relationship with God a two way or an one way street? Are you always going to God asking Him for favors but don’t give him two minutes of your time to read His word? Are you always holding your hand out for financial blessings but then have amnesia when it is time to return 10 percent? Or are you so in tune with yourself that you don’t have time for God and all “stuff He has going on?”
Our relationship with God is more important than any marriage, any romantic relationship, or any other friendship we will ever have. It is the single most important friendship that we all benefit from and we don’t even know it or care to acknowledge Him in it.
I mean think about it: you and your significant get into a big fight right??!! You say some things you shouldn’t , you do something you later live to regret but then comes forgiveness, you make up and you are ok again. It’s a process but it happens right? What about our relationship with Christ? Do you do some things you shouldn’t, say some things you wish you would not have said? Do you ask God for forgiveness or because God is who He is you think that should come automatically? We ask our significant others for forgiveness and we sleep in the “dog house” until we are all “lovey dovey” but don’t give the same time and energy to our relationship with God. Why is this?
Again I ask, is your relationship with God a two way street? So many times we forget who God is- we take risks and we out step our natural boundaries and often times we need a reality check. It’s not Tyrone on the phone when we at the end of the line and we have no way to turn. It’s God! He always comes to our rescue! He is always there for us.
How do we repay Him?
Do we give of ourselves? Do we take the time to read His word? Do we praise Him continually? Do we worship Him? Do we love Him? Do we tell others about Him? Or do we TAKE, TAKE, TAKE!!! Are you in the negative from all the “withdrawals” you’ve made lately or are you making “deposits” into your friendship bank with Christ?
Yesterday I witnessed a group of beautiful ladies and sisters in Christ give of themselves effortlessly, beautifully, and selflessly. I’ve been a part of this wonderful group of praying sisters for quite some time but God has given our group so much strength and spiritual connectivity since we have been on Zoom; it’s amazing. GOD YOU ARE AMAZING! You have blessed me to be apart of some wonderful God fearing women and I thank you Lord for that. So last night one of the sisters made a comment about needing 24 hours to herself.
Though she were “tired” and “stretched thin@ I thank God for this beautiful woman because her story showed how her relationship with God was holding her and sustaining her. She had such a gracious smile the hold time and it lifted my spirits. It helped me to see that by keeping the faith and trusting God in spite of working full time, in spite of virtual school, in spite of being in the midst of trying to buy a home, take care of my mom, being a wife, and every thing else on my plate that by staying connected and grounded through Christ; I don’t have to worry and I don’t have to be afraid. You see when you know God like I know God you trust Him and not your circumstances. God holds us dear in His heart and you think a little bit of busyness or adversity is going to separate us from His love and His tender mercy. “Chile boo, I’m tryna told you”, in the voice of my friend Jeff.
While I have been secretly pouting for the last few weeks about my upcoming wedding anniversary and how plans would be on hold until the unforeseeable future because of what I’ve been tasked with; I had to stop and thank God for being my friend. He knew my heart was heavy and He knew I had been wrecking my brain trying to make arrangements but He gave me peace. You see God promised me a lifetime of love and happiness when I accepted His son as my personal Lord and savior.
Every morning I wake up He shows me I am His and He is mine. He shows me and tells me He loves me. He gave me my husband not for one day to celebrate our love but everyday I’m blessed to wake up in His arms. While I’ve been so wrapped around what I have been limited to do; I’ve taken for granted all the wonderful things I’ve been able to accomplish by the grace of God. No it may not be “your average wine and dine”, no it may not be a walk on the beach or a night under the glistening stars BUT GOD has given us so much more to be thankful for.
What I yearned in a physical manner God has provided in a spiritual and very tangible way. The intimacy between God and I is one that does more than “make your toes curl.” His love for me is my reason for being- I live to serve Him and to tell others of His great love. He has allowed me to have the gift He offers all of us but His friendship gives me all the desire to share with others.
Dr Neal from Antioch Baptist Church loves to open up in singing “What a friend we have in Jesus.” Somebody must of told Dr Neal the importance of this particular friendship. Reading God’s word I’ve come to understand HE IS THE BEST FRIEND I WILL EVER HAVE! God has made a commitment to us that no man can match or come close to. What other friend you know can give you eternal life in Him?
Come on, I’ll wait?!!!
My study Bible tells me that God’s love is unconditional. His love is absolute. His love is true!
Doesn’t that sound like the best love story. I’m telling you, spend some time and read the Book of Song of Solomon; IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND!
John Legend has a beautiful song… 🎶 I give you all, all of me…and you give me all, all of you 🎶 How much of yourself do you give to God? How much are you willing to give? How would you rate your devotion to living for Christ?
Lots of questions today but only to get you to think. I just want us to stop and think. As we waste so much time with senseless and useless relationship with man whose seasons will all come to an end, take time to evaluate your relationship with Christ. If it’s a one way street, change up some things and open your heart to God. Allow Him to be your lover and your friend. Allow Him to “razzle and dazzle you.”
Set me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy as cruel as the grave?
It’s flames are flames of fire,
A most vehement flame.
Song of Solomon 8:6
Lord open my eyes to see You for the God you are. Give me the desire to serve You in spirit in truth. Remove whatever is keeping me from fulfilling the desires You have set out for me to do. Lord I ask you to strengthen my mind, strengthen my soul, Lord I ask You to fill me up with Your grace and Your power. Make me whole again. Use me Lord to tell others just how good You are. Even on my words of days to show someone the way to You dear God. Though I may be weak and I may grow weary You are strong and Your love is perfect. Thank you God for accepting me and my imperfect ways. Thank you for loving me in spite of doing things I shouldn’t or saying things that are not of You. Clean me inside out and cover me in Your newness as only You can. Lord Your friendship is my hearts desire and I want to praise You and Bless Your Holy name. Thank you for loving me and thank you for being my lover, my friend, and my all in all. Amen.
Amen!!