“I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me.” Song of Sol. 7:10
Lord Jesus, a fisherman craves tight lines, a “javaphile” craves the perfect cup of coffee, a golfer craves a smooth swing and long drives. But all of us have an irrepressible craving for intimacy that comes from you and can only be fulfilled by you. We try hard to fulfill this Jesus-shaped longing in a myriad of ways—ways that don’t make you necessary. They never work because they are never enough.
All love whispers, hints, and points to a greater love—the greatest love. On today’s calendar it’s Valentine’s Day, but on the Calendar of Grace every day is the perfect day to savor the widest, highest, deepest and longest love imaginable—your great love for us (Eph.3:14-19). No human relationship or storybook romance, no torrid love affair or the best marriage ever can give us what we only find in you. Grandparenting is awesome, our best friendships are sublime, and the gift of romantic love is one of the greatest experiences we have in life. But…
But Jesus, you are the ultimate Spouse—the one we always dreamt about, longed for, and hoped we’d find (Eph. 5:25-32). Every human marriage is temporary; only marriage to you is forever. In fact, as believers, we are already more married to you than we will ever be to a human spouse (2 Cor.11:2-3). Make this real to us, Lord—deeply satisfying, wondrously freeing, utterly transforming.
Nothing compares with being able to say, “I am my beloved’s and his desire is for me”—with you as the “Beloved” and us are the “desired” ones. Until we join you face to face at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, Jesus, may your love inhabit, shape, and fuel all other loves. So Very Amen.
