Finding True Love

Finding True Love

You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way.

Song Of Songs 4:7

Before any couple is joined together in marriage, there is a time of wooing. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments there are parables, allegories, and figures of speech that describe God drawing His people—His church—to Him. Both Jews and the first Christians saw the Song of Songs as an allegory of the love between God and His people. A simple maiden is drawn by her Shepherd and escorted into comforts beyond what she can imagine, but what she wants most of all is Him.

[The Amish] may use the word “dating” or “date” to mock, or make fun of, a custom held by the outsiders. However, within my community it is customary to use the word “have” rather than “date.” That is to say, the young person will be asked, “Whom did you have last Sunday?” However, “having” as used in this context does not have any sexual connotations.

Once a young man and woman are going steady, he not only will date her on Sunday evenings but may also appear at her house during the week. On this week night the young man will not make his appearance known until the rest of the family is in bed. That is to say, even if he has to wait at the end of the lane in the cold, he does not appear until all the lights have gone out. However, she will know that he is coming and will be awaiting his arrival. . . . If they are serious about one another, they will discuss the upcoming wedding.

Through courtship and marriage we get a beautiful glimpse of the relationship between Jesus and the church. Ephesians 5:25-26 reads: “Husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.”

Have you taken your love relationship with Jesus for granted? Remember how you felt when you first came to know Him, and fall in love with Him again today.

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for wooing me and drawing me to You. I am overwhelmed by Your love!