Intoxicate me with your sweet scent

 

 

“But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to Him [the Lord] and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good [choice] portion, which will not be taken away from her.”  (Luke 10:40-42)

Let’s consider this: serving was a distraction for Martha.  Martha wanted to make a difference by preparing a meal for Jesus and all the disciples.  She worked hard at it so they could enjoy it.  She worked so hard, that she was missing spending time with Jesus and busy getting everyone what they need.  

Ever tell yourself that if you are serving others you are doing the right thing?  That this is the Jesus way with servant leadership?   Here is a wonderful example in the Bible where someone could serve others and be totally off course.   So as wonderful as servant leadership is, it is not always the answer. 

At the same time, it sometimes is the answer.   James reminds us that having faith without works is dead.  If we just tell people that we hope they are made well and praying for them, but don’t practically help them with their needs, he asks, what good is that?   Helping our neighbor is important.  Serving others matters. 

 Jesus gives an example of a man laying on the side of the road having been beaten by robbers.  The religious leaders walk by and pass on the other side of the road as to not defile themselves before ministering.   Then comes along this Samaritan man who picks this man up and pays his way until he recovers. Jesus asks, who is the neighbor?   And with conviction, we all know it was the Samaritan who cared for the person in need.   God sees when we care for others, and it matters to Him.  

So which way is right?  We all know the answer… “but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”   (Luke 10:42)  

Our relationship to Christ needs to come first.   We need to first choose the times of encounter with Jesus, where we are at His feet and learning from Him, before we can go and do what is good.   We can, like Martha, know the Word of God by heart, and think we are following it to the T and still be off course. 

Anything we do, that is not being led by the Spirit and in relationship to the Lord, even if acting in love, is off course. It is like a clanging gong.  Following the Word, serving others, or any other choice we make, can be a distraction and a waste of time.   We see it over and over with the religious leaders at the time of Jesus.  They knew the Word but they failed to live it.   They failed to live it because they failed to live in relationship with Christ. 

He is our prize and our treasure.  When the lawyer asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life, Jesus asked what was written in the Law and how he saw it.  The Lawyer summarized with first loving the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your strength and mind.  And he followed with loving his neighbor as himself. Jesus affirmed this lawyer that if he would do this, he would fully live.  (Luke 10:25-28)

If we allow serving to be a distraction to us, it will not bring life but death.  We will just be busy and our work will be a distraction.  As good as our intentions are, we can be totally wrong and off course.  Our work needs to come out of our purpose and be led every step of the way by the Lord.

As Bill Johnson notes, it is our heart behind our to-do list.[1]  It needs to be from a place of being filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit that we accomplish our purpose.  It is those who are led by His Spirit that are children of God.  

It is possible to not be filled with His Spirit and determine to do something that ends up being a distraction and leading us off course.   Imagine Mary if she would have hurried and got up to get stuff done for Martha rather than sit at the feet of Jesus.  She would have probably felt frazzled and stressed but then chalked it up to a sacrifice for others in serving them.  Ever been there? 

I know I have many times.   I served out of a sense of responsibility, people pleasing or duty and grit my teeth and got it done.   Meanwhile, I am thinking in my head that if I just finish what I am doing, then I can be with God.  I go home exhausted from the day, and rather than having energy to pray and be with God, I fall asleep, empty and drained.  

In being sent into the world to do his will, Bill Johnson notes, “Let us seek to do this by remaining filled with the Holy Spirit, seeking His thoughts, committing our God-given desires to Him, and allowing the Spirit to flow through us in life-changing creative and innovative expressions that meet the needs of others.”

So good, such a description of being Spriit led.  And it starts with an unction to be with the Holy Spirit.   As Bill Johnson goes on to note, we are transformed through prayers, to align with God’s heart so we can reveal the Father to the world. [3]  If we fail to pray and talk to God, seeing ourselves as a servant instead, we will fail to share the Lord’s heart and filling for transformation in ourselves and others around us.   It becomes a process of serving that is a distraction and not a transformative journey.    

Even when we make it about transformation we will get led off course as we lose sight of the prize – our relationship with Christ.   Our relationship with Him is meant to be intoxicating.  As we know from marriage, love can look different along our journey.  But when our journey together as a couple leads to us scanning our phones across the table from each other and not even talking, seeing, or enjoying each other, it is not the fullness of the relationship God has for us.  Our marriage becomes more of an obligation.  Perhaps even “the old ball and chain” with obligations we feel are keeping us from “fun.”

At a leadership conference I recently attended, this widow shared how her husband told the doctor as he was near the end of his time, “She still makes my heart flip flop like when we first met.”  Does God make your heart flip flop when you think about Him?  If not, maybe your love for the Lord has waned, like a marriage that is put on the back burner, left to simmer on low.  

The Lord, hating this kind of routine obligation marriage commitment says to His people, “So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold [irresolute and undecided]- I am about to spit you out of my mouth (Rev. 3:16).   In other words, your mundane indifference and lack of passion makes me want to vomit.  

When we read Song of Solomon, it is a story of a lovesick romance.  The purpose is to draw you into this place of intimacy with the lover who has captivated the heart of His Beloved Bride to be.   Ever think about that this is the kind of relationship God wants to have with you as His Bride— Passionate and intoxicated with love? Not humdrum scanning your cell phone to pass time.  

It is not to be a tale that you watch from a distance on the outside, but one where you enter into the story.  While the Song of Solomon has more than one representation, below is a depiction of Christ as the Bridegroom and the Church as His Beloved Bride to be.   Before translation, the song was in rhythmic poetry.  This version of it is to draw you back into this original intent.

_________

In this compelling love story I find
Together with You my heart does bind
Take me on a journey into your love
Let me drink deeply of thy rivers above
Encourage me to take the twists and turns
That can only come as my heart for You burns

Fill the yearnings of my heart
In seeking to find a love that does not part
I am my Beloved’s and He is mine
In Your arms security I find
To venture out beyond myself
As your love upholds me
and Your Spirit keeps me true to thyself

 

POEM ONE MEDIATION

Kiss me with the kisses of your love
awakening me to life
     that comes from above
Your love is better than any wine
Draw me to run after you
    into this love so divine

Your name is like an oil
    that is being poured out
Healing for your children
   in You can be found
You bring such joy to my heart
You see me as lovely
     though I am dark

Intoxicate me with your sweet perfume
Your fragrance alluring 
     draws me closer You

Tell me my Beloved,
          for whom my heart seeks
Where do you lead your flock
           at noon to feed?

That I may no longer (like a vagabond)       
       wander around
Seeking that which
      only in You can be found

My heart thirsts
          for what only you can provide
To sit at your feet
        and drink of your wine

You have loved me to life
           Adorning me with silver and gold
Telling me you’re captivated
          As my beauty You behold

Sometimes this is so hard to receive
That I could catch Your eye
           when in Your ways You lead
Often I wish I could give you so much more
But still on me
    Your blessings You pour

You call me forth into love divine
As all my sin
     You put behind
I know I don’t deserve
    such love and lavish grace
And Your endless mercy
     as I seek Your face

Your eyes are like doves,
     You’re a sacket of myrrh
leading my choices
     as  love in me You stir
You’re the song of my heart
      – asleep or awake

 One touch from You
     and my heart does quake.
I long to go deeper
         into Your love
 Beholding your face
     Your eyes are as doves

POEM TWO MEDIATION

I am a lily
       among the thorns
growing deeper in suffering
     as on me your love adorns

Feed me with raisin cakes
         as I sit under your tree
Delighting in the fruit
     that You give to me

Your left arm upholding me
         as Your right arm surrounds
Leaning back into Your mercy
      Your goodness abounds

Draw me closer
         in this divine romance
helping me to enter
      the fullness of this dance

I hear my Beloved,
       see how He comes
Leaping on the mountains
     bounding on hills as He runs
Now peering through the lattice,
     Looking through the glass
Everywhere I turn
     In his love I stand

The winter is over,
      the rains are gone
Flowers appear
     as the season of glad songs has come
The cooing of the turtledove
    can be heard in our land
As young vines blossom with fragrance
    and figs are at hand

The love You lavish
     is more than I can hold
as I look to You
     and of Your beauty behold

I am so content in this place of grace
seeing Your Kingdom come
     as I seek Your face

I hear Your voice as You bid me to come
In the clefts of the rock
     You call me Your lovely one
My face and my voice You desire near
You call me beautiful
     And my voice lovely to hear

Little foxes try to spoil my rest
Creating havoc
     when I think I am performing my best
Catch the little foxes
     as Your love You shower
For the vineyards, my Beloved,
     are beginning to flower

I am His and my Beloved is mine
Under the banner of His care
     a love so sublime

Before the dawn-wind rises
      and the shadows flee
Return my Beloved,
     I wait for thee
Your covenant like a mountain
     the promises are sure
Your goodness is bounding
     through Your Word

‘Was laying on my bed
     as I longed,
for this One
       who is my heart song

Yearning for Your justice
    to roll down from above
I cried out to You
   this One my heart loves

In the darkest of night
     I rose to my feet
Asking and seeking
     where with You I might meet
To the watchman I inquired,
     ‘Have you seen my love?’
I had hardly passed by
     when I found my Beloved
I held fast to Him
     and would not let Him go
Until I brought Him into the deepest
     places of my soul

I charge you daughters
     by the deer and gazelles
Do not stir or awaken
     this lovesick spell!

POEM THREE MEDITATION

Here comes my Beloved
     with His swordsmen by His side
All the mighty warriors
    Close to Him abide

The posts of His throne made of silver            
       and His canopy gold
Carried along on praises
      He is enthroned
His seat majestic purple,
    with ebony along the back
Here He comes bringing peace
    as nothing His people lack

Daughters of Zion,  can’t you see?
This is the one
     who will come for me!
Wearing the diadem
     with which His mother crowned
For His wedding Day
     the day His heart’s joy abounds

When You call me beautiful
     behind my veil
And you find me enchanting
   all else pales

Before the dawn-wind rises
   before the shadows flee
I will go to the mountain
    Of myrrh to be with thee

Dying to self
     and letting all else go
Laying down my life
     as You I seek to know

Listening to Your heart
     You call me into more
Out of the world
   It was You I was made for

THE BRIDEGROOM –
You ravish my heart, my sister my bride
Your love is precious
     more delicious than wine
How fragrant your perfumes
     as you carry my scent
Honey and milk under your tongue
     as your words are spent
A single glance,
      when you look my way
Captivate me
     taking my heart away

You are a garden enclosed
    my promised Bride
A sealed fountain of love
     bearing rare treasures inside
Nard and saffron, cinnamon and spice
send forth their fragrance
     as they lure and entice

A fountain of living water
    in the center brings
streams flowing down
     to all those in need

THE BRIDE –

Awake O North wind,
       come wind of the south
Breathe over my garden
        and let its fragrance waft about

Let my Beloved,
           into His garden come
I offer its fruits, for my heart He has won

THE BRIDEGROOM –

I come into my garden
        my sister my bride
gathering myrrh and balsam
        while drinking its wine.

POEM FOUR MEDITATION

I sleep, yet my heart is awake
When my Beloved comes knocking
     the hour is late
Drenched with dew,
     He bids me to open (my heart) to Him
But I am caught in religion
     and worried about my sin

He thrusts his hand
     through the latch of my door
awakening me
     once again to long for more
I opened to my Beloved
     but He had already turned
My soul failed at His flight
     as for Him I yearned
I called out to Him
     in seeking I could not find
So I asked the watchman
     and was wounded this time

I charge you daughters
     that if my Beloved you find
Would you tell Him
     I am so very lovesick inside!

DAUGHTERS –
What makes your Beloved
     so much better than?

The Bride –  
My Beloved is pure
     He holds my heart in His hand

His justice and mercy none can compare
Compassion that is endless
     and qualities so rare
I have never known One as lovely as He
Once glance from His eye
        and I am brought to my knees
glorious and righteous,
       strong and bold
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
       yet my heart He gently holds

DAUGHTERS –
Where is the One
       who is such as this?
We long for something deeper
      Could a love be so bliss?

The Bride –  
My Beloved is available to all who seek
He went down to care for His flock
     and gather His lilies

I am my Beloved's
    and my Beloved loves me
Of His love,  daughters, 
   I can finally see.

POEM FIVE MEDITATION

NARRATOR-
She now hears the voice
     of her Beloved clear -
“You are beautiful as Tirzah
     my love, my dear
Unique and perfect,
    choice and favored above all
Blessed and praised
     as you answer your call
Coming forth like the arising of the dawn
Fair as the moon,
     bright as the sun.

DAUGHTERS –
Return O maid that we can see
For you have been swept away
     in His love for thee

THE BRIDEGROOM –
Why do you gaze upon my Bride?
She dances with Me,
        preparing to be forever at my side.

THE BRIDEGROOM –
How beautiful are your feet
     as you dance with Me
Coming alive and
     being set free
You hold Me captive
     by your charm
As I surround you
     protecting you from harm
In you, My bride,
     is My delight
As I dance with you
     through this night

THE BRIDE –
Let the prayers
     that my heart keeps
flow freely as wine
     off the lips of those asleep
Let my prayers
     be offered straight to you
In all that I say
     and in all that I do

I am my Beloved's
     and it is me He desires
As He calls me into His purposes
     and sets my heart on fire

Venturing out to the fields
      He invites
me to share in His works
    over this long dark night

As the morning appears,
   out to the vineyards He leads
To see the vines budding
    and taste of the pomegranate trees

I long to offer You
     all that I am in my love
as Your fragrance of goodness
     wafts from above
I would take you into
      the deepest places of my soul
Where You would teach me
    Your face to behold

I wish I no longer worried
   about what others think
but only pleasing You,
      as love-spiced wine to drink

Your left arm supports me
     as You embrace and hold
my eyes are on You
     and my heart unfolds

Daughters of Jerusalem,
   I charge you to this -
Do not awaken me out of
     this love-spell bliss

Leaning on my Beloved
    as Him I have learned to depend
Whether in the desert
     or in the sweet garden bend

A love that is
     stronger than death
Jealousy burning
     in relentlessness

He is a flash of fire
     upon my heart
Like a seal of love
     set upon my arm

No flood can quench
     or torrents drown
The flame of Yahweh
     in this love I have found

In Your return
     my Beloved make haste
Come leaping over the mountains
     for You our hearts wait!

People are intoxicated where their hearts go flip flop in their marriage because they go out of their way to love each other well.  Too often, we take our relationships for granted and let responsibilities get in the way of romance.   We need to come back to this place of extravagant love in our relationship with the Lord.  Rather than be practical, let’s lavish our love on Him. 

Let’s be Mary’s who first and foremost choose the good part.  And if serving seems to be a distraction, let’s set it aside for a time for seeking after Him.   Let’s, like the Shulamite woman, run out in the dark of the night seeking to find Him so we can tell Him we are lovesick.  

Lord, intoxicate us with Your presence.  I pray for a fresh baptism of the fire of Your love.  Let us not only read the Song of Songs, but enter into it and live in the passion of Your burning fire of love that encircles us.

1-3.  Johnson, Bill.  The Holy Spirit: Who He Is and Why We Can’t Live Without Him.  Whitaker House, New Kensington, PA. 2024.