S) "3 I have taken off my dress,
How can I put it on again?
I have washed my feet,
How can I dirty them again?
4 My beloved extended his hand through the opening,
And my feelings were aroused for him."
Song of Solomon 5:3-4 (NASB)
O) The bride was already in bed, even asleep, when the bridegroom showed up at her door with his sweet talk (v.1-2). The first verse above, shows her mindset when she woke up. She was not exactly in the mood to meet her husband. In fact, she really started listing excuses. But there was a pivotal moment, in the next verse, where her attitude changed, as he reached out to her through an opening. There is a powerful analogy made, as her husband pressed toward her, unwilling to let a wooden door, stone walls, or metal bars, keep him from the love of his life. He did everything he could, to get any amount closer to her. He found any chance there was, an opening, however small it might have been, and he pursued her presence - to be as close as he could - any way he could manage.
A) This passage sounds great on the page, but I think a lot of men might scoff. There are plenty of tropes about men badgering their wives in bed. They are shown as little more than hormones with faces, while their wives are vilified as prudes. But, you know when the above passage is real? There are two things that it requires. First, when a husband has proven to his wife that he loves her for reasons beyond sex. Second, when a husband has proven that sex does not control him. If I am consistently showing my wife that I am interested in her, knowing her, being with her, when sex isn't a consideration, or even a possibility, then it's proving that my love for her is sincere and deliberate. When I show that my libido does not control me, but I control it, then it means that my attraction to my wife is conscious and specific to her, because I decide to whom I am attracted, not my libido. So, when I do passionately pursue my wife, she knows that it's not just an overriding random chemical reaction, but it is the romantic gesture she desires.
A) This passage sounds great on the page, but I think a lot of men might scoff. There are plenty of tropes about men badgering their wives in bed. They are shown as little more than hormones with faces, while their wives are vilified as prudes. But, you know when the above passage is real? There are two things that it requires. First, when a husband has proven to his wife that he loves her for reasons beyond sex. Second, when a husband has proven that sex does not control him. If I am consistently showing my wife that I am interested in her, knowing her, being with her, when sex isn't a consideration, or even a possibility, then it's proving that my love for her is sincere and deliberate. When I show that my libido does not control me, but I control it, then it means that my attraction to my wife is conscious and specific to her, because I decide to whom I am attracted, not my libido. So, when I do passionately pursue my wife, she knows that it's not just an overriding random chemical reaction, but it is the romantic gesture she desires.
P) Father, thank You for all of the grace You have given me in my marriage and life. You have been exceedingly good to me, all of the days of my life. Help me continue to grow into the husband You created me to be, into the husband that You intended Kristin to have. I invite Your discipline, to continue bringing about self-control over my flesh, not just with regard to lust, but in all temptations. Please let Kristin know that my desire is for her alone, and for her specifically. Let my desire for her be plain to her, so that she has confidence and trust in my passion toward her - not just for our physical intimacy, but for our spiritual well-being. Continue to lead me, by Your Spirit, to honor You with my marriage and life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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