Song of Songs. 7,8
Ps. 99-101

"Do not stir up or awaken love until it is ready"

This appears three times in Song of Songs (2:7, 3:5, and 8:4). 

Going back to the post from Tuesday, from an understanding of a love poem between two lovers, the poem is saying take it slow.  Be patient with love and build a strong foundation.  As the poetry reads from highly sensuous and builds through consummation, this speaks of taking time to build a love that will last.  This will help kindle the relationship God had in mind back in the garden.  This establishes the kind of love that when offered "all the wealth of one's house it would be utterly scorned" (8:7).  We are reminded of an untamed love that is beautiful between two people, but be patient for the right person, and with the right person, wait until love is ready.  Wait, and build a friendship, a companionship where the maturity grows from the description of the little sister to a wall...like towers. 

As allegory, this works with the same parallel.  We all share different stories in coming to Christ.  Many share that moment and remember the date.  Many others grew up nurtured from birth in the church.  Our love in Christ is one that continually needs to be nurtured.  We do this by daily being in Scripture, in prayer, meditation.  Also, importantly we do this is a community of faith.  We are all stronger together as a community.  We are more complete with the many gifts that complement us as a body of faith.  All of this is necessary in establishing what we were made for, and that is a relationship with God. 

Blessings, Rob