Love Was Never Meant to be Lived by Faith

When I first read the Song of Solomon - no, let's just say when I first looked at the Song I really thought the book made it into the Bible by mistake. Cleavage, pomegranates and gazelles just did not fit into a meaningful category under any religious title. The book isn't even quoted by any other author of the Bible - including Jesus. You read the book and let me know what you think. I can guarantee a reaction of surprise, maybe even shock. The sensual imagery jumps off the page and you can almost hear a little old lady saying, "Oh my." What was God thinking when he inspired Solomon to write this book? (It is inspired, you know.)

I don't have a "Thus, saith the Lord" answer but I can tell you after marinating in the passages I think God wants us to know that love is full of emotions. Just about every line of the poem stimulates one of our five senses. "While the king was at his table, my perfume spread it's fragrance." (1:12) is just one example. Don't just read the words, smell them. Can you imagine sitting at a table with someone whose fragrance fills the room? Without a doubt they would become the center of attention, and a pleasant one at that. Or how about 4:2? "Your teeth are like a flock of sheep just shorn, coming up from the washing. Each one has its twin; not one of them is alone." Now how's that for a visual? This woman was not chewing on a corn cob pipe. Just about any woman with teeth qualified her as attractive in ancient Palestine. There's a banqueting table with all sorts of flavors in 2:4 and abundant references to touch throughout the book. We are even privy to private conversations these two lovers share on the journey called"intimacy". The overwhelming message God is sending is: love was meant to be tangible!

I think the church is more in love with faith than we are with love. Faith is important; I know it's impossible to please God without it. But I don't think God had faith in mind when he designed us for love. Faith helps us get to love but don't let faith define your experience. There's SO much more to love! Love was never meant to be lived by faith. After all, who gets excited about someone saying, "I love you by faith"? If at some point you don't feel loved, what motivates you to keep the relationship?

There are times in married life when I don't feel in love with my husband. That is to say, I don't have the "sweep me off my feet" romantic sensation. But I absolutely love him and I know he loves me. This is a sensation based in truth that never leaves me. Life brings various tests to challenge our belief in God's existence and even his love for us. That doesn't change the fact that love was never meant to be contained in faith. Unlike any other book, the Song conveys the truth about love as a sensation that is essential to facilitate relationship. If you aren't experiencing the love of God today, ask him to make you more observant. God is speaking, dear one. Open your ears and eyes as well as your nose, mouth and skin.