Finding Pathways

by Ben

I read Song of Songs 1-8.

First a note: after my last post disappeared right after I finished it, I decided to take my Bible and a notebook out to the courtyard and wrote there.


In finishing out the Song of Songs and reading through the book completely, I find myself as though enjoying a re-read of a favorite novel. I am seeing more than I have before as I go. But the very readingbrings me joy - afterward, I wished that I felt that same joy everytime I read Scripture.

I'm at an interesting place in my spiritual walk; I am beginning to internalize what I have been thinking and even saying about how I relate to God. I guess I'd still been working off of the world's paradigm of success and hierarchy. I'd been seeking or merely waiting for reward as I grew spiritually (and somewhat feeling as though there would be a finish line). It is one thing to say that you understand that and another to truly feel it. I still have to mentally fight against that sense of "what's in it for me?" But I find that this battle is really just about keeping perspective.

I've been clinging to things a lot - my house, my jobe, my perception of what God wants me to do. I think I need to pursue the Reformed, yet Reforming ideology in everything that I do.

How this directly relates to the Song of Songs, I can't fully explain, but I can say that it made me think about love, lust, culture, God, sacrifice, Christ, purpose, message, growth, Spirit, and time - and how I have viewed each of those and maybe how God wants me to view each of those. I really believe that Scripture can open up mental pathways that had previously remained blocked - even if they have little or nothing to do with what you are reading.