On the evening of Saturday, January 30th I sat in a dark theater thinking February is only one day away…I wonder what, if anything, God will give me to write for February…hmm, a month of love. I dimmed the light on my phone and began to scribe…
freedigitalphotos.net/arztsamui
February is a month of love. More distinctly it represents the romantic type of love we have for the one we desire, or for some the “ones” they desire 😑😑😑. Going further, when we think of February we think of Valentine’s Day. I’m not a big holiday person, but I was curious to know its origin and discovered it was primarily formed from two sources, a pagan custom, and an elusive Saint.
Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to the Roman god of agriculture, Faunus, as well as the founders of Rome according to mythology, Romulus and Remus. According to the myth, the twin boys were ordered to death but “fate” lead them safely down a river and to a she-wolf who nursed them.
Flickr/Elixirk
During the festivities, an animal sacrifice was made by the Luperci, their priest. Goat and dog remains from the ritual were said to bring fertility to the women they touched.
In 494 AD the Catholic Church outlawed this February 15th ritual and appropriated Valentine’s Day on February 14th, commemorating Saint Valentine. There are several stories surrounding Saint Valentine or Valentinus, nonetheless, each story is illuminated by love and love’s original selfless intent. (See History.com and Britannica.com for more information)
MY PRAYER IS THAT FEBRUARY WOULD BE A TIME FOR YOU TO FALL IN LOVE WITH GOD.
After Periscoping on Opportunity and Risk, a friend messaged me with “Hey did you say you can’t really get into Song of Songs because you are not really that “Lovie-Dovie” on your scope???😂😂😂”
*Raises hand, Guilty* While I did say this, their question challenged me to rethink my statement and even scriptures that I love to sing to God from this book.
I love prophetic songs! These are spontaneous or impromptu songs to God birthed from the spirit of a person or for us by inspiration of God. The following words of an inspired song play regularly in my heart:
This song is inspired by the Song of Solomon…
Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its fires of desire are as ardent flames, a most intense flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly condemned.
Song of Songs 8:6-7 MEV
How beautiful is that?
The Song of Solomon is a series of poems he wrote describing meeting his love, their engagement, wedding, wedding night and life after marriage. Reading through the messages of his heart one can’t help but smile at this type of pure, God endorsed love Solomon expressed for his bride, but moreso I smiled at the crazy love and pursuit God has for us.
I remember having dreams as early as 8 or 9 years old where God pursued me. I would hear angels talking to me, calling my name and encouraging me to give my heart to God. I first started reading the Bible for leisure in the fourth grade after volunteers with Gideon’s International passed them out near my school. I remember enjoying the gospel of Matthew and the book of Revelation the most. It was through the lens of Matthew I gained an understanding of the “salvation thing” I heard about in my dream and from this I acknowledged Christ as my Savior with my younger brother.
Throughout my childhood, I was aware of God, but this curiosity became stale as I grew more interested in the excitement of life and new experiences. It would be 10 years later before my next encounter with the Father’s love.
After a night of partying my friend and I spent the night at my house. Late morning I rolled over to her suggestion of going to church. I hadn’t been to church since some point in high school. I quickly responded I don’t care and off we went. Well while there I experienced something totally different than what I had ever witnessed with religion before. I heard this emotionally riveting story of the pain Jesus endured for humanity. I couldn’t take my eyes off the pastor, my gaze was intently set on her as she demonstrated how Jesus’ arms were outstretched on the cross.
I grew up in a christian church, Presbyterian by denomination, but I’d never heard anybody speak this way personally about Jesus before. She soon began to ask if anyone was interested in giving their heart to God and I wanted to respond, but I just sat in my seat. I was stirred by her words and put my head down so that no one would see my eyes welling with the tears I refused to let be seen. She continued to plead for anyone to come and I tried to put my mind on something else…I thought man I want her to hurry up and stop so I can leave.
I remember hearing the pastor say “I know you’re here, God told me you were here and you need to be saved,” even now I’m reminded of those childhood dreams I had…of the Father drawing me to search Him out. She stood in the front of this room of people and pleaded I know for at least 10 minutes. When I finally lifted my head she was standing in front of me with her right hand extended. I began to cry…I gave my heart to God that day and had no doubt that this Being, for lack of better words, I’d been taught about as a child was real and wanted to know me…to think He wanted to know me.
I can’t say I immediately fell in love with God then, but through years of His endless pursuit, He’s won my heart. He’s won my affection…He moves the seat of my emotions like no other.
After I started reading the Bible as a young adult God showed me that He purposefully and intently saved my life. Abraham’s nephew Lot lived in Sodom, God intended to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their lawlessness. God sent angels into the city to save Lot and his family. 
Lot was urged to flee the city to avoid destruction but hesitated, when He did the angel grabbed Lot’s hand to save him. God personally did that for me and the realization of His love is what made me fall in love with Him.
We love Him because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19 MEV
I challenge you this month to read the Song of Songs, recognize it for what it is, but also read it with God in mind. Relate to Him. Think about the times He’s chased you and still comes after you. How this noble king, King of the universe precisely, goes after you…to win your love.
King Solomon pursued his bride in spite of her being different from the women of Jerusalem, her skin was darkened due to her humble upbringing. Her uniqueness drew him and your uniqueness draws God to you! There is no one that can give Him your personal affection. Sing love songs to Him! Sing a new song to Him and allow His love to envelop you completely!
Photo Credit: Bouquet of Flowers/Moominmoko via Flickr
