Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and wild deer, not to awaken love until the time is right. – Song of Songs 2: 7

If you’ve ever read the book of Song of Songs, you know it’s the most romantic book in the Bible.

It’s a poetic dialogue between a couple in the deepest of love. And it’s so beautiful.

The nameless man says his lover is like a lily among thistles, and he compares her eyes to doves.

He uses the beauty of nature to describe every part of her body. To him, she’s a garden, a hidden fountain, a well of fresh water.

He thinks she is altogether beautiful and says that “even among sixty queens and eighty concubines and countless young women, I would still choose my dove, my perfect one -“

How romantic!

And his lover feels the same way about him. She says he is the finest apple tree in the orchard and his arms are like rounded bars of gold, set with beryl.

It’s so easy to get swept away by this couple’s fantastical and wonderful love affair. But in between the lovey dovey talk comes a very strong word of caution from the young woman:

Do not to awaken love until the time is right!

I wish she’d explained in depth exactly what she meant by this, but since she left it open-ended, we can make several interpretations.

For me, the time is right for physical romance when both parties want to be committed to each other, when the union is one that God put together for a lasting purpose.

Otherwise, the love will be one-sided and painful; and it won’t blossom into the beautiful experience God designed for us.

When it comes to our love lives, we have to get the greenlight from God, so that we are not straying from our purpose or living our lives outside of His will.

Love and physical intimacy is a beautiful thing.

But only when the time is right.

Be blessed,

Alexia

Prayer for Singles: God, help me to stay focused on you, so that I don’t awaken any feelings of love and romance before the time is right. Keep me centered in your will so that I can be open and ready to receive the partner you have created for me. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.