The Song of all Songs

One of my favorite books in the Bible is the Song of Songs. It's poetic, beautiful, mysterious, and racy. Racy, you say? You bet. It's way better than Romeo and Juliet, even more delightful than Sleepless in Seattle, and has way more cooth than When Harry Met Sally. It's deep, profound...romance at its finest.

Is it funny to think that the Bible can be a love story? You may think so. After all, that's what we've been taught. Boring. Conservative. Rules. Abstinence. When in all reality, the God I've encountered has proven quite different. He's valiant, dangerous, adventurous, and above all--romantic. He woos my heart with a cool breeze on a Fall day, He gently reminds me that "All is well" on a rough day, He pursues my often faithless heart with tenderness and forgiveness. He's creative, knows more details about me than I do myself, and always has my best interests in mind---even when things don't seem to be going "my" way. Because, in fact, there is a Greater way than "my" way. It's the way the world has left behind...it's the way of intimacy, the way of Love. Down here, we're all about quick fixes, have-it-your-way, fulfill my desire for tonight but tomorrow I'll be on my way back to something or someone else. All the romance has been thrown out the window, no intimacy and no commitment.

It's when we finally get to a tattered and worn-out place, the desperation of an empty soul...the moment in life when we realize these quick fixes don't really satisfy that He woos us out of our desperation...because He, in fact, is the Creator, the God who initiates, the God of Hope.

And out of her loneliness, a woman cries back: "Take me away with you! Let's run off together! An elopement with my King-Lover! We'll celebrate, we'll sing, we'll make great music. Yes! For your love is better than vintage wine." (Song of Songs 1) And so begins a Love Story. Eight glorious chapters of the best romance novel I've ever read...and lived.

This morning, the ground was wet and the sky was still a bit dark. I rolled out of bed, poured a cup of hot coffee, and glanced out the window to see the beauty of another beautiful autumn morning. And my heart sang a song of thanks...for yet another sign of Love. I adore mornings like this. Cozy, peaceful, and romantic. Moments like this make the heart-ache worth it, gives fruit to the hard labor, and proves that pursuing intimacy is way better than any one-night stand. So, we press on...moving forward in Love. And this song, well, it just adds to the beauty and sentiment of my morning. Hope you enjoy it...and relish in the fact that on this Monday morning, You are Loved.

Paperweight: Joshua Radin and Schyler Fisk

Been up all night staring at you
wondering what's on your mind
i've been this way with so many before
but this feels like the first time
you want the sunrise to go back to bed
i want to make you laugh
mess up my bed with me
kick off the covers i'm waiting
every word you say i think
i should write down
don't want to forget come daylight
happy to lay here
just happy to be here
i'm happy to know you
play me a song
your newest one
please leave your taste on my tongue
paperweight on my back
cover me like a blanket
mess up my bed with me
kick off the covers i'm waiting
every word you say i think
i should write down
don't want to forget come daylight
and no need to worry
that's wastin time
and no need to wonder
what's been on my mind
it's you
it's you
it's you
every word you say i think
i should write down
don't want to forget come daylight
and i give up
i let you win
you win cause i'm not counting
you made it back
to sleep again
wonder what you're dreaming

(corresponding song: Paperweight by Joshua Radin and Schyler Fisk)