What is this thing called Love?

“Promise me…not to awaken love until the time is right.” – Song of Songs 2:7 (NLT)

I remember growing up in elementary, middle school, even high school, and February 14th would draw near. In elementary school, there would be an unspoken excitement in the classroom as we prepared our Valentine card and treat holders. When middle school rolled around there was the expectation that maybe someone would express to you that they loved you or liked you or for some having a boyfriend/girlfriend. Now for the guys this wasn’t so great because the other fellas’ would give you a hard time. The girls on the other hand…they would want to know all about it. By the time high school arrived though, it was now more of an expectation that you have a special someone to tell her/him how you felt about them. Well, at least, this is when I was in school-- I wonder if things have changed much…my guess is things are much the same. Like Solomon says “there is nothing new under the sun.”

But what about this topic of love? As we mature, I’m sure you’ve all noticed, that attraction to someone of the opposite gender has perhaps…increased. Maybe not for some. Maybe some of us are still like “Boys, eww!” or “Girls, yuck!” Whatever the case, a time comes when our bodies change and we begin to notice others, and think we like them, and be attracted to them, and then peer pressure soon enters the circle, and then….well, and then what!?

What takes place at this point, or even before this point greatly determines what happens next. At this stage, our emotions and peer pressure can win and soon we find ourselves “in love.” Next thing you know we are “walking in the clouds.” Is this real? Sure, the emotions are real and the desire is real, but it’s an immature real because we are being driven by our emotions. Emotions are great but if we let them go unchecked they get us into trouble: take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ - 2 Cor. 10:5.

Song of Songs challenges us in quite a different direction. It says: Promise me…promise me, not to awaken love until the time is right. What does this mean? Let me say this. I think God knows something we don’t. I think He knows us better than we know ourselves. He is saying to us: I know you have emotions and I know you are attracted to other people. I have given these things to you. I am the One that created you and placed these desires in you. However, you must hold your emotions in check. You must guard your heart above all things. There is a time when you will pursue your love but that time has not yet come.

This is the heart of God. Right now what He desires most is that we would seek Him, pursue Him, and learn how to fall in love with Him. When we find this place, then we will be able to say: I know I’ve found this thing called love. Until then, promise Him, not to awaken love until the time is right.

*Feel free to post comments, questions, or share what you thought.