This chapter describes the bride’s desire for her betrothed, and the groom’s elaborate approach to the wedding.
“On my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not. I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but found him not… when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go…” (v1-2,4 abr)
Most Christ followers, myself included, will admit there are times where they feel distant from God. When we experience this, there are really two options – shrug it off and go about our own worldly business, or seek God out.
There are numerous reasons we could feel distant from God. A few examples include busyness, distractions, anxiety, and/or inattention to time with God. A feeling of distance from God isn’t something we usually choose intentionally, it’s often a subtle and slow attack from our enemy, who is trying to sneakily draw us away from God.
When we find ourselves in a situation or season of being distanced from God, we can be encouraged that it happens to everyone, and God has not abandoned us. We can very quickly return to God because He is always present with us, we just need to remember Him and embrace Him.
There are many methods for turning back to God when we feel distant, and different ways work for different people. The most simple way to feel closer to God is to spend time with Him in prayer and scripture. The more distant we feel, the more time with Him may be required to regain the joy of His presence. This may sound over-simplified, and maybe it is, but when you want to feel close to a person, how do you accomplish that? You spend time with them. The same is true when drawing closer to God.
I wish to encourage us with this passage: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.” (Lk a5:20-24) God will surely embrace us when we seek Him, no matter what we’ve done, and no matter how long we’ve been away. He is here waiting for us, eager to celebrate our return.
Father God, our Steadfast Lord, You celebrate our closeness with You. You eagerly await our every moment with You, whether we’ve been away 5 seconds or five decades. Jesus, You are our Love, and our King, and we wish to seek You every moment of every day. Spirit, please help us to do this, forever and always, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training