The Season of Singing Has Come By Sharon Musgrove #devotional

 

The Season of Singing Has Come

By Sharon Musgrove

 

 

“See!  The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come,

The cooing of doves is heard in our land.

The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.

Arise, come, darling; my beautiful one, come with me.”

Song of Solomon 2:11-13 NIV

 

Outside my living room window, a yew bush blocks the scene of the back yard.  But just because the view is limited, Spring is still obvious.  A mated pair of House finches have built their nest in the safety of this overgrown pillar.  Completely unaware of putting themselves on display, these two lovebirds have established their home in full sight, framed by the wood trim around the glass.  I delight in observing their daily activities and in listening to their happy chatter.

 

Beyond the blockade, the warmth of the sun has brought out a splash of florals, as if a painter has gone mad with his palate.  Azaleas, tulips, hyacinth, and primrose dot the landscape like bridesmaids showing off their ridiculous gowns.  An arch of flowering plum stages the walkway, a radiant blush of beauty. 

 

Spring has not just arrived; the season has come singing!

 

Wintertime in Oregon’s Willamette Valley might be considered mild weather when compared to colder, extreme climates, but the long months of rain and gray skies stretch from October until early April.  It’s the long murky days, coupled end to end, that can drain the heart of hope.

 

But then Spring rides in with rainbows of color, waving a scepter of golden sunlight, and singing a song that brings life!  Hope restored!  Light!  Love!  Life!

 

The Bible’s book of Song of Solomon captures this rescue from darkness by revealing the love of God for His bride . . . the church.  This song is a love letter like no other writing in the text.  Its lyrics are filled with descriptors of the passion between lovers, sharing not just a single sided fancy, but a common desire for one another.  Relationship.

 

It can be difficult to understand God’s crazy love for us when our day-to-day functions are overshadowed by dark clouds.  Our sight is limited to this day, but our hearts yearn for another, brighter, future day.  And we cry for that day.  We cry out for Him.

 

But what if, like a caged bird, or like imprisoned Paul the apostle, we sang in our dark days?  What if we leaned into a season of singing even before it revealed itself?  Replacing crying with worship? 

 

This is an exercise of faith. 

 

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as: “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

 

To praise God, with whatever resources He has given us, is a way of bringing His Kingdom to earth.  We join Him in creating light in darkness with our voice.  Speaking life where death threatens is a partnering with the Creator.

 

House finches have a beautiful song.  The couple nesting in the yew is only a single pair of many singing this tune.  Almost any time of day, their characteristic music can be heard.  And I am inspired by them to raise my own voice in proclamation that winter is past.  Dark times are temporary.  Jesus is indeed on His way back!

 

We have an open invitation in this season’s song . . . Arise, come, darling; my beautiful one, come with me. 

 

Will you join in God’s season of singing?

  

Author Bio:

 

Sharon has been writing and teaching biblically based curriculum, Bible studies, and devotionals since 2007.    

 

She has had the unique position of writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both programs primarily served women in the homeless community.

 

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She’s been privileged to speak in Leadership camps intended on encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young women.

 

Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

 

Sharon and her husband, divide their time between Oregon and Hawaii. They have two grown children. 

 

Currently, Sharon is encouraging others via her inspirational blog, but prefers sharing face to face. Additionally, she is working towards a degree in Ministry. 

 

~*~

Connect with Sharon:

Website: Sharonmusgrove.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sharon-Musgrove-Untethered-102208978041060

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonmusgrove_untethered/