Deuteronomy 6:4-5 – Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (ESV)

I saw an advertisement recently on a recycling website for a television sofa where the spelling was out of place. It read, "Loves Eating". They had put the space after the "s" instead of before! A simple mistake to make, but it made me think.

Recently, I was invited to the local cinema. I was asked to make up a place at very short notice, which I was more than happy to do. I found the cinema in the town centre.

When I was shown to my seat, I found that gone were the old cherry-red folding seats that are a part of my childhood memories, and in place were love seats, each with a light and a table.

A love seat is another name for a comfy sofa made for two, where a couple can cuddle up, usually in front of the television. I did not expect to find love seats in a cinema!

They're great for courting and married couples to snuggle up in, but not so much fun for a single person sitting with friends of diverse ages! So, I was rather uncomfortable until I was distracted by the film.

The Song of Solomon's descriptions of love, intimacy, and intensity are God's portrayal of His desire to be close to His people. The parable of the prodigal son also displays God's familial love for intimacy, forgiveness, inclusion, grace, and love. The Jewish corporate confession of faith, the Shema, which begins with today's Scripture passage, includes the words, "You shall love the Lord your God …".

In some manner, just like those love-seat couples in the cinema, we should be able to snuggle up to our God, respectfully intimate, trusting in love and faith, devoted to God even as He reaches out to us.

It may make us uncomfortable for a time to think about this because we are not familiar with the possibility for such relational intimacy with God as we spend time together with Him. Maybe we struggle with the call of the Father for intimacy through Jesus. Maybe we have become used to being masters of self, with a comfort zone — especially during COVID-19 times — not to be invaded by anyone, not even God.

Instead of being devoted to God, have we become preoccupied with the survival of self, someone who just "Loves Eating", not "Love Seating" with God? It does not have to be this way, because Jesus is only a prayer away!

Jeremiah 33:3 – Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. (ESV)

Prayer: Lord, we always fall short of Your love for us. Please forgive us for our waywardness and our preoccupation with self. By the grace found through Jesus, bring us closer, to know, love, and trust in Your love and care. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Rod Marshall <roderickhenrymarshall@gmail.com>
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
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