The young women move from curiosity to desire—pivoting from, "What is it about Him" to "Where may we find Him?" Once the bride moves past the emotion that plagued her, her eyes open to the truth. She knows exactly where to find Him—He is within her—She has Him fully and now He fully has her.
The King expresses so beautifully His love for her. Those who turn their lives over to Jesus collectively form His bride; but each is individually His beloved, made righteous by His blood. Nothing can ever take that away.
The [Woman]: “I went down into the orchard of nuts and out to the valley to see the springtime there, to see whether the grapevines were budding or the pomegranates were blossoming yet. Before I realized it, I was stricken with terrible homesickness and wanted to be back among my own people.”Songs 6:11-12 TLB
It's springtime again—God makes all things—Mercy is new every morning
Her desire shifts from her need to theirs.
The Young Women of Jerusalem: “Return, return to us, O maid of Shulam. Come back, come back, that we may see you once again.”
The [Woman]: “Why should you seek a mere Shulammite?”
King Solomon: “Because you dance so beautifully.Songs 6:13 TLB
Now fully His, she dances the dance of grace.
Grace. It's so attractive. It's also, humanly speaking, rare, and oftentimes seemingly out of reach.
Have you experienced it? You'd know.
Have you ever extended it? If you have, I'd venture to say it probably wasn't easy.
True grace is not earned, but freely given, and generally does not happen out of order. In other words, grace must first be received before it's sincerely given. The fullness of grace is in Jesus Christ and if you carry His name, He is within you.
The Shulamite woman was not even aware she could dance, let alone dance the dance of grace. If you follow her story, you know it didn't start this way. Metaphorically, she had, as we all do, two left feet that stumble. As the King led, little by little, she began to feel the music, only to find herself apprehensive and afraid to dance. Nevertheless, knowing what a beautiful dancer she could become, He continued to reach for her hand.
I'm watching someone I love with all my heart dance this dance so beautifully.
Married over 20 years, they had their challenges. She started married life in a country not her own and with immediate family on two different continents, close friends became family. A few of years ago, a job led to a relocation. Again, finding herself in a place not her own, it was another difficult move, but to her delight God turned it into the sweetest time in their marriage.
Unfortunately, six months later, he had a heart attack, followed by a stroke that led to many other complications, leaving him completely dependent on her. Thankfully, his mind and personality were left untouched.
Words cannot express how difficult it has been for her to see her husband in such pain. She's described the oneness of their relationship in such a way that I imagine can only be found through this kind of suffering. I can remember her saying to me through tears, "I don't think I truly understood what God meant by two becoming one flesh until now—I physically feel his pain."
Never leaving his side, she takes care of him in every way, with very little help. I have never, before now, witnessed this kind of hardship. Through the difficulties they face—and there are many—she never hesitates to give glory to God. The kind of grace I've witnessed in and through her is supernatural and I don't believe exists beyond the grace of God.
Without a shadow of a doubt, God has called her to walk a difficult path. Little does she realize, as she walks forward in faith and battles exhaustion, weariness and moments of fear, those of us who love her look on in amazement at how beautifully she dances with her King.
I'm sure she would have chosen differently if she could, but she has become a picture of the grace of God in my life.
How beautiful are your feet in sandals,
O noble daughter!
Songs 7:1 ESV
God entrusts few with this kind of suffering; it's a high calling. If you find yourself here, remember this, The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed (Ps 34:18).
I imagine that it is here He is most visible—to you—and through you.
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