My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.”
Songs of Solomon 2:10-13 (NRS)
This passage calls for a retreat. A private retreat. Not just any retreat but a special one with “beloved.” It is Beloved who calls for this private retreat. The winter has been long and cold. Beloved is lonely because Fair One has been otherwise occupied (spiritual indifference) and ignored him. Now it is time for Fair One to refocus and refresh the relationship with Beloved. The rainy season is over (tears, sadness, gloom) and the dreary days behind doors should end (hiding). The flowers are blooming and the birds are singing (joy). It is time to rejoice and sing with them (attitude adjustment). The fruit trees and flowers give forth wonderful fragrances. It is time to smell the fragrance of a new day and spend some private time with Beloved (a fresh perspective).
Extended time away from the hustle and bustle of our lives is appropriate but most of us cannot afford the luxury of it. The wonderful thing about spiritual retreats, however, is that you don’t have to go away into a cave to be refreshed. You can experience a retreat right where you are, right when you need it. Today, Beloved is calling. What about it, Fair One, will you retreat with Beloved?
Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for calling us to refocus and rethink our lives and ministries. Forgive us for our cold and indifferent attitudes toward you. Forgive us for wallowing in gloom. Forgive us for hiding from you. Let your joy flow in us. Enable us to adjust our attitudes. And empower us with a fresh perspective. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his challenge and live in his presence,
Pastor Smith