My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.” Song of Songs 2:10
Lord Jesus, that you speak to us with such endearing terms is hard to fathom. That you are constantly pursuing us for intimate fellowship is both the greatest complement you can pay us and a warning to us. How do we know when we’ve “leaked,” lost, or left a vital heart connection with you? For me the tell-tell signs include:
- Emotional tiredness leads me to downward wandering thoughts
- I get easily irritated and more judgmental of others
- Busyness takes precedent over beholding your beauty
- Fear seizes more of my heart-space than your peace does
- My time in the Word becomes more duty than delight
- I drift into living side-by-side rather than face-to-face with you
- I go from singing “Jesus I am resting, resting” to sighing “Jesus I am vexing, vexing.”
Jesus, again we say—that you desire rich, intimate time with us is life-giving, heart-enthralling, and always timely. It’s hard to keep a Mary-like heart in a Martha-like world (Lk.10:38-42), or in a Habakkuk-like season of stress and confusion (Hab.3:16-19), or in a Naomi-like story of loss and sadness (Ruth 1), or in a Paul-like period of feeling overwhelmed and alone (2Cor.1:8-11), or in a David-like state of shame (Psalm 51).
We don’t offer these things as excuses, but as honest confession and earnest plea. Refresh, renew, replenish our hearts, Jesus. Before summer 2026 segues into “school year” madness—center, settle, and enthrall us with yourself, Jesus. By your Word and Spirit … through good friends and your voice in creation … in stillness and aloneness … by salty tears and loud laughter —however you choose, free us to “come away” with you. Jesus, you are our “righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1Cor.1:30); again, be our deepest joy and greatest delight. So Very Amen.
