9.6.10 "Until the Time is Right"

"Until the Time is Right"

Song of Solomon 1:1-4:16
2 Corinthians 8:16-24
Psalm 50:8-15
Proverbs 22:22-23

"Get it Now!" That's the name of the store where I purchased a TV set a few years ago. I was just going in to look... but that place was set up to wheel & deal... I wanted it, and I got it. Our culture has positioned itself to "meet the need as fast as you can." "Buy now.. pay later..." Fast food is making billions on people who want a meal NOW.

Everything is wired for us to take the short cut. Feeling lonely? eHarmony, or match .com or somethign like that will solve all the problems, right? You have a need? Meet it fast!

Today's reading includes Song of Solomon. It's a story of two lover's that pursue each other, and those around who rejoice with them in their love. Song of Solomon 3:5 catches my eye. "Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and wild deer, not to awaken love until the time is right."

My daughter was in first grade when she came home visibly upset. She didn't want to talk about it for the longest time. Finally, later she opened up and let me know that some other kids found out who she "had a crush on", and they were teasing her. It broke her heart. At the time I just empathized with her, but we had a great conversation later.

I told her that as her parent, she's my responsibility. I told her I have to protect her and care for her, and feed her, and make sure I don't let her drive the car until she's old enough, and a ton of other responsibilities. That's my job. I'm not allowed to leave her out in the yard, or even leave her home alone or let her watch anything she wants on TV. I wouldn't be caring for her if I did that.

I then explained to her that she also has a responsibility to protect and care for her affections. She must care for her heart. The reason it hurt so bad when others mocked is that it was "left out in the yard" way too early. It wasn't ready to be there. There may be a time when the "crush" happens, but it's way too early for that to take root and be fed. She must make it a priority to keep her heart safe and not let feelings go uncontrolled.

Most of us who read this example can relate at some level. Many would probably think "yeah, first grade is WAY too early for that." Well, this principle is true for ALL of us THROUGHOUT our lives.

There is a place to awaken love. There are many more places love should never be allowed to go. This is true for men and women. We must guard our hearts. We must guard our affections.

Love is a very special, God-ordained phenomenon. It's much more decision than it is emotion. We get into trouble when we make poor decisions just because we want to feed an emotion. We are inclined to take short cuts. Those short cuts always end in heart ache and pain, even bondage.

Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life."



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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