I will seek the One I love ...

It's hard to find the appropriate words to wrap up this series, and to speak of why it's so important to me... why all the dedication to the one book that almost looks like it was misplaced and should not be in the Bible. It's probably the first on the list of books rarely ever preached about in our churches. When I started blogging about it, I was only out to share the little knowledge I had gained after reading an amazing book (The Pleasures of Loving God by Mike Bickle), that's based on Song of Songs. Upon starting it though, I was surprised at how much depth of insight the Song of Songs actually has. It's been an interesting learning process for me and it's given me such great joy to have had the chance to pour it all out here. My prayer is that these words would come alive in you too.

One very significant thing I've learnt is the fundamental role of intimacy in our walk with God. I know that most of us are accustomed to God as Father, Savior, Healer, Deliverer, Breaker of chains, God Almighty and all such big names. Much as we know that He loves us, we rarely ever regard Him as a lover... probably because it seems too little a title for such a great and awesome God. 

Truth, however, is that even Jesus refers to Himself as the Bridegroom, and the church as the bride. Remember John, the disciple whom Jesus loved? While the others probably shied away from being too close to Jesus, he literally went as far as leaning on Jesus' bosom during the last supper (John 13:23). That kind of intimacy gave way for an immense level of revelation such that in his books, he journeys from the very beginning of time (John 1:1-4) till the end of time (the book of Revelation). He was not in the beginning, neither will he be at the end, but he's seen it all already. This is partly why intimacy is so important ~ it's in the secret place that God reveals such wisdom and hidden mysteries to His beloveds by His Spirit. 

More importantly, Jesus loves us so passionately, and He'd want us to do the same. He'd want us to answer when He calls. He'd want us to spend more time with Him. He'd want us to lay aside all other beloveds and seek Him with all our hearts. He'd want us to distinguish Him as 'chief' over all other beloveds. He'd want us to worship and revere only Him. He'd want to pour out His heart to us that we may share in His burden. Now the Holy Spirit is able to bring us into His innermost chamber ~ the Holy of Holies ~ where we can commune and enjoy intimate fellowship with Him. 

The questions would be, are we available? Can we be found? Are we willing to bear His yoke upon us? Have His desires become our desires? His burdens, our burdens? His delights, our delights? Have we loved all of Him - even His judgements? Does the "wine" still taste sweeter than His love? Can we with confidence praise His love more than wine? Have we loved Him with a love that's mature? Are we obedient to His commands? Can we be faithful even to the point of death...or are we quick to deny Him when it's no longer convenient? Is ours truly a love that is pure...or do we love Him merely because of what we can get from Him? If we had to give up everything, would we still love Him?

I know that was quite something, so just calm down 🙂. Truth is I'm not there yet myself. This series has kinda brought to light my own weaknesses in my walk with God. The beauty, however, is that Love gives us room for growth. We can be confident that God still loves us despite our shortcomings and at the same time desire to obey His commands and be stripped of our own selfish worldly desires. 

In terms of progress, I've come to cherish God's presence more, and to truly delight in it. Beautiful how there's been a renewed hunger and thirst as well. Drawing near the presence of God is less by virtue of mere obligation and is more of a yearning from deep within. This also struck a difference between a casual seeker and a diligent one. Scripture says: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with ALL your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13). Hebrews 11:6 calls God the rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him. 

I believe it all comes down to this: it matters not that you merely sought, but that you sought EARNESTLY. 

It's disheartening that many believers are casual and not diligent seekers. Anyone can merely seek you know ~ for healing, a blessing, financial breakthrough, academic excellence, a job, a life partner, a child, etc. Such seeking is short-lived because it's tied to the blessing. On the flip side, one who seeks after the heart of God will do it for a lifetime because their primary desire is purely God and not what He has to offer (Matthew 6:33). David was one such man. God literally testified concerning him and said: I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will. Seeking God for him wasn't a one-time thing - it was a lifelong commitment. Remember, a true lover of God will be a dedicated seeker as well. 

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Psalms 27:4 NIV

One thing I ask from the LORD,

this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD,

ALL the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the LORD,

and to seek Him in His temple.

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All this can become a reality in our lives if only we take the place of fellowship more seriously. No relationship has ever gone far without proper communication. This is what determines how strong our relationships (both physically and spiritually) will be. We're always complaining about failed relationships and how it all starts going down the drain when there's nothing more to talk about other than that "good morning" and "goodnight" text. 

It's no different with God. We can't just mumble a few words as we struggle to keep awake when praying (be it at night or in the morning) and expect to have a solid relationship with Him. It's time we bridge those gaps. It's time we show up for those late night or early morning devotions, Bible study, Scripture meditation, worship, prayer, quiet time...it goes on and on and on. Never should a day go by without having spared ample time to seek Him. Strengthen your relationship with God in this way...you just might be surprised at the results. 

This shouldn't be a burden. Let it flow from a heart that burns with passion for Him. Like the psalmist, we too can cherish His presence so much so that we can testify of Him and say: Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 

Though the answer might not be forthcoming, and the wait seems a little long; keep seeking, keep pursuing, and pray unceasingly. Remain committed even when you do not see the fruit on the other side. In due time, if you do not give up, you will find Him whom your soul loves. Of the Shulamite it was said on two occasions, "I sought him, but I did not find him" (Song 3:1-4). It's beautiful how this only caused her to search more intensely, to the point that she even asks the watchmen of the city if they'd seen him. Scripture then says: scarcely had I passed them, when I found the one I love. I held him and would not let him go...

Finally, as you run this course, may these two "truths" propel you to continue growing in intimacy with God:

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I am not insignificant

I am the one He loves

I am the one He died for

I am the one He longs for

I am the one He waits for.

I am my Beloved's

His desire is for me.

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My Beloved is not merely trivial

He is the One I love

He is the One I live for

He is the One I long for

He is the One I wait for.

He is my Beloved

My desire is for Him.

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As for me, I will seek Him whom my soul loveth...