Beloved
10 My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; 11 for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. 12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. 13 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. (Song of Solomon 2:10-13)
Everyone wants to be beloved, but we find it a challenge to honestly hold others in such esteem. We place conditions on our care and affection, on our willingness to strive for another's good.
We are all beloved by God - each of us, individually. The person we find most difficult to forgive is also beloved by God. This incomprehensible belovedness erases the pretentious divisions we create - the us versus them, the good guy/bad guy mentality that makes us feel safe. Our categories and judgments have to crumble in the presence of the grace that refuses to leave us cast in the role of enemy. It‘s often said that “never before have we been so divided”, but it’s ironic that never before have we had so much access to one another. While we used to be segregated in our silos of identity and ideology, now all voices have access to the same platforms. We can shout each other down without ever being face to face. If we would just listen we might hear that we are all saying the same thing: see me, hear me, value me.
When we give what others need we may find that we get what we need, when we hold a hand we create the opportunity for our hand to be held. This vulnerability is dangerous. Rejection hurts. Disappointment is as likely as success. But only in the humility of selflessness can we hope to mirror the image of our God and Savior who gave everything so we’d all know that we are beloved.
19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. (James 1:19-22)
