Song of Solomon 2

 "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys." Song of Solomon 2:1

 "Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the young women." Song of Solomon 2:2

     There is a love song playing all throughout the Kingdom of Heaven. There is a theme and an anthem ringing in the ears of those that lean into the love of Christ - those that dare to come closer to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. To those who have 'taken up their cross' to follow the Lamb that was slain, Jesus Christ, there is a sweet aroma and fragrance that rises from each heart.

     I am longing, more and more, to know this Love. And I need to have a greater longing placed within my heart SO THAT I can long more and more. As weird as that sounds, it's really not. God is the source of all things, thus, I must ask Him for that which I need. In this case, I long to have more of a longing for Him. So, I ask for that longing to be placed deep within me. As I wait for the longing to come, I will move forward with what I already have.

     Part of the love song that makes me want more is the part of me being rare and precious. Just as Jesus praised the shepherd with the lost lamb and woman with her lost coin, God cherishes me the same way.

     "Then Jesus told them this parable: 'Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep. I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’" (Luke 15:3-9)

     God knows all about me. To Him, I am rare and precious. He wants to know my thoughts and hear my voice. When He doesn't, He will seek after me and find me. Again, I say, that makes me want to run after Him and take hold of Him. To be loved with such zeal...oh, it awakens my heart to sing and dance - it makes me want to live - to come alive.

     "You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain." (Psalm 139)

     Oh, to have the knowledge of being sought after... It is that knowledge that makes me want to reciprocate the same intensity - to pursue the very One who is pursuing me. Such fervency leaves me speechless; such enthusiasm pulls at the strings of my heart. I am left with a cry ringing in my heart: "I have to have Him. I must know this God who has gone to height and depth to save me and love me. I must know who He is. How He is. Where He is. To be found in Him and with Him. I want to be where He is - loving what He loves and hating what He hates. I need Him. I love Him. Him and only Him is who my heart longs for. God help me have You. Help me get You and know You. Help me never stop loving You. Help me love You better. Help me love You with all of me, just as You have loved me with all of You."

     God deserves my heart. He has captured my heart with His love. He has been knocking and speaking - never ceasing love...that is WHO HE IS...and He is waiting for me.

     Here I am LORD. Here I am, at Your feet.

     Come, Holy Spirit, and lead me to the Rock that is higher than I am. Lead me to the Lamb. Lead me to the man, who from generation to generation, has drenched lives with His incomparable love.