Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.

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Read

Song of Solomon 2:8-17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The voice of my beloved!
Look, he comes,
leaping upon the mountains,
bounding over the hills.

My beloved is like a gazelle
or a young stag.
Look, there he stands
behind our wall,
gazing in at the windows,
looking through the lattice.

My beloved speaks and says to me:
“Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away;

for now the winter is past,
the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove
is heard in our land.

The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines are in blossom;
they give forth fragrance.
Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away.

O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,
in the covert of the cliff,
let me see your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
and your face is lovely.

Catch us the foxes,
the little foxes,
that ruin the vineyards—
for our vineyards are in blossom.”

My beloved is mine and I am his;
he pastures his flock among the lilies.

Until the day breathes
and the shadows flee,
turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle
or a young stag on the cleft mountains.

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Reflect

I have an art gallery in my bathroom. A strange place for one, you may be thinking, but I disagree. Surrounding myself with beauty each morning as I prepare for the day, and being surrounded by beauty as I wind down each night are great gifts. My walls are covered in pieces by local artists, old friends, my own photography, as well as visual memorabilia from travels or concerts. The smallest piece of art in my gallery was a gift from my best friend. The circular piece of pottery hangs on my wall but fits into the palm of my hand, displaying this phrase: “No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.” It’s an important reminder for me each day.

We all go through winter — as you read this today, chances are spring is touching you in some way as the weather warms and the world begins to green up. But if you aren’t bothered by the literal winter of the four seasons, then perhaps you’re in a metaphorical winter of life. The sun rarely shines, all warmth is gone, colors are muted or have disappeared completely, and growth is stunted in favor of retreat and shelter. But then comes the very voice of Spring, “Arise, my love.” Can you imagine being awakened from your darkest days by the very voice of Eternal Spring? Our scripture today gives us a beautiful description of what spring looks like, and it’s easy to get lost in the imagery. But don’t forget what makes the spring look beautiful — it’s being able to see it through the eyes of our Beloved.

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Pray

God of the Seasons, we give you praise for the ebb and flow of time. We thank you giving us time and space for retreat and for shelter, but we also praise you for growth and renewal. Thank you for your work in all things and in all times. Amen.

Go with God!