2021-08-20
Good Morning Dear Ones,
I’ve been commanded by the Holy Spirit to write about eros and philos, two kinds of love. The first is the love between a man and his wife; the second is general love. The specificity of words in the Greek language, the language of the NT, is noteworthy. The book of Song of Songs [or Song of Solomon] is known for being an allegory of Israel’s relationship with God or an expression of eros of a beautiful woman. It is very unique, when compared to the other 65 books of God’s great work. Certainly, that is true of SOS 1: 9, 15 and 4: 1-7. 1 COR 7: 7,”I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God, one has this gift and another has that.” This author can’t speak for other marriages, but mine was truly a gift from God. It all began at a very low point in my life, at a time when I least wanted or expected something like this to happen, 45 years ago. Because of my own active spiritual life, I had the dream of meeting someone whose capacity for kindness was off the charts and who would grow to have as active a spiritual life as my own. Under God’s blessing and protection, he lived next door! It all began when I had to be hospitalized with the flu. I almost died and was in the hospital for three days. My neighbor, who I didn’t know, noticed my car was missing. Once I was home, he knocked on my door and inquired about it. That began a romance that grew into a 44+ year, very happy marriage. We took care of each other, finished each other’s sentences, shared our mutual faith, and grew elderly together. As quickly as this relationship started, that’s how quickly our time together ended on April 17th, 2021 as he passed into the hands of God. Because of Peter’s job promotions and transfers, our marriage took us from northern to southern CA, to Atlanta, GA, to Woodbury, MN, and finally, to South Jordan, UT. Prior to our relationship beginning, I had lived in Eugene, OR, Walnut Creek, CA, New York City, NY, WA, British Columbia, and Alberta. I think our chance of meeting must have been a “divine appointment,” because prior to our romance, Peter had lived in several cities around the Midwest, to NJ, to Santa Barbara, CA, in Salinas, CA, and finally to Walnut Creek, CA. We had only lived in the same town only 3 mos. out of our lives!
Since I had prayed for a man like Peter, I had clear evidence that God listens to our pleas for the end of misery. PS 40: 1-3, “I waited patiently for the Lord, and He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit , our of the mud and mire; He set my feet on at Rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear Him and put their trust in Him.” Even now after Peter’s passing away, my loving God is watching over me. My son and his family have opened their home and hearts to me, welcoming me to share their lives. My Lord has seen to it that I don’t have to spend the rest of my life alone. So, I’m once again living in northern CA. My family is taking wonderful care of me, including supplying physical therapy to build up my strength. (I’ve been partially disabled for many years). Moreover, my continuing dream is to serve the ministry that God has built up over the years. Because of the family’s help, I can put my best energy to that.
Both my husband, Peter, and I have always been true to each other. It was never a problem for us to avoid any temptation to stray from our marital vows. But imagine people’s lives who do commit adultery. All through their lives, they must worry their spouses will find out what they have done. There is always the concern about a paramour getting angry and beginning trouble. A pregnancy could occur, producing an unwanted child. It is a slippery slope to which the adulterer steps! And then, there is the dangers that confront a fornicator. This individual doesn’t know what loyalty is. He is promiscuous, sleeping with more than one temporary partner. The same danger of an unwanted pregnancy lurks.
This person puts himself in danger of catching a venereal disease, because he and his various partners don’t know each other’s habits well. If their activity becomes known, social ostracism and other troubles can arise and ruin their quality of life. And what about their relationships with God when they disobey and disrespect so frequently? I must go back to what one of my past pastors said, “God is in charge, and you are not! Get used to it!” Yes, there are negative consequences to behavior that is this disloyal to His teaching!
PRAYER: O Lord, the fidelity of a long-term, happy marriage is what You want. You have made us in Your own image, which means we are capable of long-term loyalty to one partner for life. Sadly, a partner may pass away, go home to You for Your righteous reasons. Then, remarriage is acceptable to You, as long as we are true to that partner. This is a great blessing over the societal rule that if one’s partner dies, then she must marry his brother or remain a widow for the rest of her life. Up until recently, life was made difficult for women—their reports of sexual abuse weren’t believed or deemed important. There are some men that were like promiscuous animals, approaching every young woman they encounter or holding their careers up for ransom. In this time, women are getting opportunities for leadership and success they have never had. We must offer You praise and thanks that the old ways are coming to an end. Still and all, we pray, as Nobelist Malala Youssef does, that young women in places like Afghanistan and Syria can get an education and can enjoy society’s privileges without fear of losing their lives. Please Lord, we beg that You will bless them as You have us. In Christ’s holy/mighty name we pray. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I am commanded by the Holy Spirit to continue writing about Eros and Philos, the love in a marriage and general love. I cannot feel that our society is blessed by adultery or fornication. These irresponsible responses to sexual temptation can only lead to unwanted children and trouble. One’s reputation is at risk. Yes, these things have gone on for centuries of mankind’s history, and they have never benefitted our society. When God’s teaching is followed, the outcome has with it the hope of improving our society. We can take advantage of incentives in place to improve rather than degrade our lives. And that, Dear Readers, is definitely worth the effort! Our God deserves our praise and thanks for the blessings He bestows on the obediently faithful!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2021. All Rights Reserved.
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