Sure I know it is the day after Valentine’s Day and enough already, right? But God did this totally random thing at the retreat I was teaching this weekend and I wanted to share it.
I gave the women two chocolate kisses. I told them to eat one like they would normally do. And most of them just chomped it down. Then I asked them to take the next one and hold it in their mouths and really experience the chocolate, savour the taste, the texture. Their faces were a sea of enjoyment.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” I said, “You just got a kiss from Jesus.”
I wish you could have been there to see the change in facial expressions: shock, awe, delight, disgust, disbelief. Where did I get this cockamamey idea? Uhm, that would be the Bible.
“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
for your love is more delightful than wine.
Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;
your name is like perfume poured out.
No wonder the maidens love you!
Take me away with you—let us hurry!
Let the king bring me into his chambers.”
Song of Songs 1:2-4
What is a kiss anyway? A sign of affection, connection, relationship. But here is the distinctive: I only kiss people I love. Sure there are different kinds of kisses. Little pecks and long lingers. But all are expressions of love. We humans didn’t make up that connection. This is a clue into the affections of God.
And, I don’t receive kisses from just anyone. You have to been in my circle of affection before you can enter into that realm with me. The closer you go into my circle, the more intimate the kiss.
I wonder, do you savour your relationship with God, like enjoying a good piece of chocolate? Do you know you have a Royal Husband whose love is more delightful than wine?
Do you ever give yourself permission to simply enjoy God and be enjoyed by Him?
Isaiah 54 makes a scandalous statement. He declares our Maker is our Husband. Think about this. The implications are staggering. He is love. He is hope. Therefore, He is perfect in power, provision, love, affection, satisfaction, and companionship. He is able to meet every need of every woman, and every man.
Since the fall, both men and women have been trying to do life on their own, depending on self to provide and protect, define and value. Both sexes have been looking for the perfect mate to complete and satisfy their longings. All the while, we have had the Perfect Mate but we continue to look elsewhere, to lesser lovers, lesser gods.
Even with the status of current day marriages being so disappointing, we rarely allow ourselves to consider that we have a Spiritual Husband. Will you go there?
I am double doggin’ dare you to ask for a kiss from Jesus. It may come as a song, a card, a word from someone, a scripture, or picture, but this I know — if you ask and watch, it will come.
Know where mine came from? A parking lot. I went out of my way to get to a store only to get there and it was closed. As I was walking back to the car, grumbling, I saw it.
A little red glittering heart. Wet from the rain, but waiting for me.
“Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3