When Things Aren't Working

As I wrap up my annual read through the Song of Solomon, the deeply felt friction and animosity across our globe gives me pause.

Such global discord is strategically contrasted with the possibilities of intimacy, as described within this somewhat lustful dialogue between lovers. The text perhaps serves as a spiritual reminder, placed midway between Judaism's then well framed religious structure, and the ache that has begun among her prophets.

There is promise of a tender sweetness between humans when reciprocal relationship is afforded between God (the bridegroom) and mankind (the bride).

Soon that same spiritual intimacy transfers in a felt way among their "friends." Peace is possible if cultivated; war can never get us there.

The "friends" comingled throughout this love story are those distant to the immediate family, yet there to encourage the couple's intimacy. In this, we might sense the same possibilities for multiple cultures?

Perhaps when nations learn to accept each other as valid reflections of the same origin, though each of different offspring, such appreciation, respect, even mutual friendship might be possible.

Again, I sense that the whole book was strategically positioned to create a spiritual ache within the reader as one realizes the possibilities of intimacy with God and then among distant others, versus the environment created when control and animosity rule.

Idealistic I know, but hope always is!

These last few months have been telling as I attempt to keep my heart open to the Spirit's ache for our nation and the world while focusing on the transformational possibilities that hope provides.

More to come.