I’ll be the first to admit that poetry really doesn’t do it for me. Psalms are rarely where I turn outside of my reading plan, and Song of Songs is similar. It’s just not how I’m made. I love the narrative of Job and the practicality of the Proverbs, but the rest of the “Wisdom Literature” doesn’t really get my blood pumping. But in spite of that, it is still the Word of God. And even though some of it might appeal to us more than other bits, we still need to ask God to reveal what we can learn and grow in as a result of reading it. Because all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV).

Today is was this chunk near the end of the Song of Songs:

For love is as strong as death,
    its jealousy as enduring as the grave.
Love flashes like fire,
    the brightest kind of flame.
Many waters cannot quench love,
    nor can rivers drown it.
If a man tried to buy love
    with all his wealth,
    his offer would be utterly scorned.

Song of Songs 8:6b-7 (NLT)

This is as good a definition of love as any I’ve ever heard! Love — REAL love — is as strong as death and as enduring as the grave. It is permanent, and goes on eternally from when it begins. Love is a bonfire, a raging inferno. It is all-consuming and can be seen and felt by all who come near it. It cannot be defeated. And love — true love — cannot be bought. There is no shortcut to love. It must be earned, there is no other way to attain it.

This is how WE as Christians are to love, because we are called to love as Christ loves. And this is that love.