Rise Up, Darling

“My lover spoke and said to me, ‘Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! the winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of the doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me” (Song of Solomon 2:10-13, NIV)

I’ve never acknowledged Song of Solomon as love relationship between Christ and our human soul. I’ve dismissed it as love conversations between human lovers and never took it personally. However, God revealed a beautiful message that gave me a new meaning from the above passage:

A woman of noble character recognizes her worth. God calls her His “darling,” His “beautiful one”. Wow! He says, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one...” What a wonderful value He has placed her. As a woman of noble character, she recognizes her worth as dearly loved, cherished, one who is highly valued.

A woman of noble character recognizes that she is His masterpiece, His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). And He created her for His enjoyment, for His purpose. She is His beautiful one. That means He loves her. He loves her. And now, He’s calling her to rise up. He wants her to get up from whatever problem she may be drowned in. His command is firm and loving. He’s calling her to rise up, get up. She recognizes that she’s not glued to the ground, to her problems, or her situations. Get up. Arise! No matter how she looks at herself, she is His darling, His beautiful one and He calls her to rise up.

A woman of noble character recognizes His instructions. His second command was to “come with me.” “Come with me,” He says. He doesn’t just want her to get up and stand there. He wants her to come with Him. He wants her to take action; follow Him. He has many things to show her. And, she longs to see God’s vision for her life. She wants to see what God wants to show her. If you are that woman, follow Him. He’s saying “come with me”.

A woman of noble character recognizes the end of her winter season. She knows that her rains are over and gone. “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.” Whatever her problem is, it’s gone. It is done with. Her season of troubles is gone. There’s no more. Therefore, rise and come with Him.

This message reminds me of a time when my children played tags, my oldest son grabbed a hold of my baby girl’s shirt tail. He wouldn’t let her go. She pulled a couple of times, but couldn’t break free. So, she stood there and wailed. After a few minutes, I commanded him to let her go. He let go, but she stood there and cried as if he was still holding on to her shirt. I called out to her to come, but she stood there and cried pitifully. I kept on calling, and it finally dawned on her that she was free. Sometimes, we are like my baby girl. We stand there and cry. If that’s you today, God is telling you that your “winter is past; the rains are over and gone.” Rise up and follow Him.

A woman of noble character recognizes her spring season. “Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.” Wow! God reminds her that after the winter, spring does come. And He calls out to her and reminds her that it is time to get up and see the flowers bloom and smell the fresh fragrances. She recognizes that there’s sunshine after the rain. She understands that in the spring, flowers bloom, trees bud, grass turns green. She understands that every circumstance brings with it many benefits. After every crisis; she’s wiser, she gains knowledge, finds directions. She receives the answer to her prayers. A woman of noble character recognizes her spring season and rises up to follow God. She hears His voice calling out, “Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.” And, she follows.

Father God, You’re awesome. Thank You for reminding me that I am your darling and beautiful one, that You love me. Help me to recognize Your calling voice to come with You; to recognize that my problems are behind me. Help me to see and enjoy the benefits of springtime. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.