[Wisdom of Solomon] Five Courses on a Table for Two预览

Romance In Real Life

When you think about romance, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s an old relationship that brings up bad memories. If you don’t want anything to do with a relationship, Jesus could heal and minister to some difficult areas of your heart.

Maybe you’re single, and romance is the least of your worries and something far in the future. If you’re single, you get to file stuff away.

If you’re married, maybe romance makes you think of a spouse you want to go to right now and take on a date. I hope the words of Solomon stir deep affections that may have been lost, those old moments where just looking into each other’s eyes was enough.

Wherever you find yourself today, I want to show you a five-course meal in which we will see what romance in a godly, growing relationship looks like. In these passages and devotionals, we see how Solomon loved his future wife and how their love for the Lord was central to their relationship. As Christians, we must ensure that our goals in future and present relationships are based upon the love of Christ shown to us. Though you will find many helpful principles and practices here in Song of Solomon, if your foundation isn’t built upon Christ, who is our Rock, then these principles and practices will not lead to a godly relationship. The romance could be based on self-serving motives. The love and relationship turn into a contractual arrangement, where you only forgive, love, and show affection if it is shown to you first. You never make the first move because the weight is all on the other person. Instead of showing forgiveness and patience with one another, you find yourself keeping a record of wrongs. Instead of being motivated by Christ’s selfless love, shown by His dying for us, His bride, His church, you're motivated by selfish gain.

What if we could change our thinking? Is your marriage centered around routine, with little excitement, or do moments of love still exist between you, despite the long days spent apart from one another at work or school? Does your idea of a godly relationship seem far-fetched? Today I want you to think about how God's grace can renew any relationship and help produce deep affection. God's love for us can motivate, fuel, and change us to be like Jesus, no matter our relationship.

Thought for today: What is the basis of your idea of romance or relationships? If it isn’t the Bible, pray that the Lord will start renewing your mind through His Word.