the Song of Songs, for all of its steamy implications and suggestion, is poetic and evocative in its lyric. This morning we heard the invitation to come away, to leave behind the cares, concerns and distractions of our world that we may more fully be who we are. We go to find the true nature of our being in relationship with another.
The lover arrives upon the scene and urges that the time is come for renewal, in the newness of springtime. The time of dreariness and gloom has passed and there is energy and life buzzing in the air. Arise and come away. Leave behind the slumber, the dormancy, the hibernation, and live the adventure of life. Be alive. Be in love.
We are awakened and called into relationship with the divine, to leave our comfort and coziness. It is easy to build a refuge and haven from all that is wrong in the world. Maybe that is why we are here today, in worship, to gather in faith so that for the span of an hour, or for a few meaningful minutes where we can leave behind the world and its problems. We are here to pray and sing, to listen to scripture, to be with friends, to look at the ceiling or the stained glass windows. Here we are to be still and know that God is God.
Whatever it is that brings us here, if it’s misplaced guilt or a sense of obligation, or if coming to church is a wonderful uplifting habit, or if we merely want to see friends, or if we’re seeking to be challenged or comforted in faith, we all have our reasons. However, we can’t stay here. Sooner or later, for those thinking of brunch, hopefully sooner, we will leave this place. We can’t hide away in our Sunday best, in our liturgy and hymnody; we do live in a world of road rage, swine flu and reality TV.
As much as we’d like to escape this world and run off with the Lord to some wonderful mystical union, there is the grim reality that there are bills that still need to be paid, an economy still on the downturn, and weather that defies prediction. We might consider the scripture lesson as a gentle invitation to leave our sanctuary and explore the world that awaits us. A world of wonder and longing, with the steadfast companionship of a deep, pervasive and abiding love that goes with us, calling us forth to new adventures.
It is a journey undertaken with excitement and joy, to go away with the Lord, to embrace the wonders of life and love in a topsy-turvy world where nothing makes sense and all that we have is each other. The Songs of Songs shows how energizing, inspiring and life-giving being in love is. That is what we are about, that is the message for this day: love life, love yourself, love God, love love.
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