Really, I could have quoted this as an number of lines from the Song of Solomon, the love song of the Bible. And it's importance is great. We are first sisters and brothers in Christ. Then, should God choose to give us another with which to become one flesh, are we wives and husbands. This could be talked about at length, but in bringing this to light I had a specific purpose in mind:
We must not categorize each other. Single people are constantly keeping track in their heads of the people of the opposite sex that they meet. Potential spouse, just a friend, no potential here... This severely injures our ability to treat each other with the love that Christ has asked of us, and makes confusing complications and fuzziness out of our relations with others. However, in reality, it is very simple. We are all sisters and brothers in Christ. We are FIRST sisters and brothers in Christ, and ALWAYS sisters and brothers in Christ. If we orient the way we think about and interact with each other in this way, we will find ourselves blessed with many deep friendships, and loving, straightforward relationships. Will there still be a tension? possibly, but it is no longer a negative tension, but a positive one. What is a positive tension? I would define it as a tension that can be diffused at will, and that when present enlivens and creates with beauty and joy. However it is not until we are ready for courtship, ready to engage in "romance with a purpose," as Joshua Harris describes it, that we can begin to discern God's will for us with regards to our vocations and possible marriage partners. If we are constantly categorizing then we are not allowing nor trusting God to provide for our futures, but are rather living in a grasping manner, repeating the sin of Eve.
1 comment:
amen sister!
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