Arise

Song of Songs 2:10
My lover spoke and said to me, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me."


Last night I spent some time with God before I went to bed just asking Him where we are to go now that we have decided to embark on this journey. We’ve walked out the front door, and now it’s time to hit the trail, but I don’t have a clue where we’re going, so I thought I would consult our Adventure Guide. I just poured out my heart to Him in my journal, asking that He would guide us, teach us, and ultimately, reveal Himself to us. Then, having nothing to share, I just went to bed hoping and praying my answer would come in the morning. I had no idea . . .

5:30 rolls around and God wakes me up - 5:30 on the dot (He’s so punctual - I was expecting Him at 5:30 ish). I glance at the clock, knowing that He has awakened me to spend some time with Him, but rather than obey, I chose to roll over and go back to sleep. I finally dragged myself out of bed at 6:20, only to get about half of my quiet-time done (and I did all the talking) before the kids decided to join me. I was disappointed - with myself more than anything. Why is it that I have such trouble getting out of bed to spend time with God? I know I need to obey, but it’s just so difficult.

Then, I felt the stirring. As I sat reflecting on my attitude toward this time with God, especially compared to how I used to feel about it not so long ago, God revealed my problem to me. I was looking at this time as a duty to be performed, something to be obeyed, and tolerated. Another discipline I need to become more Christ-like. Is that how you feel?

Well, that is not what He is calling us to! He is not demanding we spend this time with Him - He is inviting us to some one-on-one time. He is asking us to spend some much needed alone time with Him, our Lover. Like a midnight rendevous, He is wooing us and luring us away from all others, to speak to us in the still of the wee hours! Isn’t that amazing that He would desire to do that with us? Verse 14 of this same chapter says, "My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely." (Emphasis mine) Isn’t that breath-taking?

God does not simply want to teach us and challenge us during this time. I would almost say that that is His purpose for studying His Word. No, I would say that during this time, He wants to spend the time loving us - delighting us, and having us delight in Him. He wants to see our lovely faces, and hear our sweet voices! Wow! That is when we will really begin to know Him.

So, the next time God wakes you up early in the morning, do not look at it as a daunting task - something to be checked off your list. Rather, just open your ears for a moment, and listen to the sweet call of the One who loves you. Let Him invite and lure you into some of the sweetest moments in life, as we begin to deeply and intimately know our God.