L-O-V-E

L-is for the way you look at me

O-is for the only one I see

V-is very, very extraordinary

E-is even more than anyone that I adore

And LOVE...is all that I can give to you....LOVE is more than just a game for 2.....

That has to be one of my most favorite Nat King Cole songs. As much as I like it, I must admit that the song lacks the depth of describing what LOVE really is.

You see, last night we had a very interesting discussion at church. We were reading and searching the Scriptures about Biblical manhood and womanhood. We were talking about the various opinions permeating our society, and the church. This topic would normally make me very nervous and apprehensive, however, I had Ronald right next to me, and I know he and I firmly agree on this subject, so I rested in the fact that if anyone stated anything that was close to being unBiblical he, being the quiet person that he is, would speak up.

I must warn the reader that this discussion will probably take several posts for me to clearly communicate all that is on my mind and heart in regards to this particular topic. I freely welcome all comments, but I firmly believe that what I'm about to say is entirely Biblical and Scripturally based.

Ask anyone who knows me well and they will tell you that my favorite book in the Bible is Song of Solomon. Ask anyone that knows me well and they will tell you that I love the topic, the idea, and the notion that we are Christ's Bride, and He is our Bridegroom King. I seldom use any other term to refer to our Savior.

I preface this topic with what I have learned over the past few years. A few years ago my church was doing a study on the Song of Solomon. I thought it sounded interesting, so I signed up. I was not prepared for what was ahead of me.

Most people see the book as a love story primarily dealing with the love of a husband and a wife, and this is true to a certain extent. However, dig a little deeper, and you will see that the book is really a beautiful story of how our Bridegroom King has chosen His Bride, and the journey that we embark on with Him.

I will, over the summer, post a lot of things on this book. I plan on doing posts for each chapter of the book. For now though I am summarizing the general theme.

What I see when I read that book is how my Bridegroom King views His Bride. He views His Bride with such love, devotion, faithfulness, and tenderness. He views her that way even in the midst of her sin and darkness. He is constantly telling her how lovely she is to Him. The poetry and symbolism in this book never cease to bring me to tears. He sees me as lovely, even in my darkest and deepest pit of despair. Yet, it's not even because I have done anything to warrant this view, but because of the blood of the Lamb that was shed to cover all my iniquity.

The book is such a picture of how the Groom pursues the affection of His Bride. He covers her with love, yet challenges her in her life. He draws her out of herself and asks her to trust Him, to go into the wilderness with Him, to trust that He will be the ultimate Victor. He puts her in difficult places only to rid her of any crutch that she has been leaning on...anything except Him.

It has taken me a good two years to finally understand, "I am dark, but lovely". We are so dark, evil, and full of iniquity. Yet, the Lord sees us as lovely, as who we are because of the mercy seat. I can't wait to write about this book and the love that the Bridegroom King has for His Bride.

I feel that in order to even talk about Biblical roles in the home and between the husband and wife, one must not overlook the love that the Bridegroom King has for His Bride. It's only through this scope and this lens that we can see what our roles are truly meant to be....

Oh there is so much more to come!!! Be ready!!