“I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me.” Song of Sol. 7:10
Lord Jesus, on the Gregorian Calendar, tomorrow, February 14th, is Valentine’s Day—a day set aside for celebrating the gift of romantic love. From middle-school infatuation to first “real” love, through break-ups, restarts, walking down the aisle, then walking to the graveside to commit a spouse to eternity—our stories are marked by the wonders, pain, risks, and beauty of love.
But all love whispers, hints, and points toward a greater love—the greatest love. On the Calendar of Grace, every day is the perfect day for remembering and reveling in the only love better than life. No human relationship, great romance, torrid love affair—even 50 years of a healthy marriage can possibly fill the place in our hearts reserved for you, Jesus.
You are the ultimate Spouse—the one we always craved, whether we know it or not. Every human marriage is temporary; only our marriage to you is forever. In fact, as believers, we are already more married to you, Jesus, than we will ever be to anyone else. This is precisely why we should take our marriages so seriously, Jesus, for they are meant to show and tell how you love a most unlikely, unworthy Bride—each of us.
To be able to say, “I am my beloved’s and his desire for me”—knowing you are the “beloved,” Jesus, and we are the “desired” ones—nothing compares with this state of grace, intimacy, and belovedness. It is the height, depth, width, and breadth of your love for us, Jesus (Eph. 3:14-19; Eph. 5:25-32). Until the Day you return, Jesus, may your love inhabit, shape, and fuel all other loves. So Very Amen.