Week 51 Thursday

Majestic as the Stars

Today’s scripture selection: Song of Solomon 5-6

Key verse: Song of Solomon 6:10

“Who is this that appears like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession?”

Of all the terms lovers use to describe each other these days – majestic – is usually not one of them.

But that is how the Scripture sets the stage for us.

It’s a beautiful picture of two lovers from years ago.

It’s also a wonderful picture of Christ, and His bride, the Church.

Finally, it gives us a glimpse of how we, as individuals, can relate to this God who loves us so deeply, and His Church universal.

They appear as the dawn – bringing light into our darkness.

They appear as the moon – fair and calm – in the night sky.

They appear as the stars – bright and dazzling – yet somehow peaceful.

How different these images are from the sometimes seemingly distant or aloof – “God and His universe.”

So, when you need Him must – when you need communion with His family, the Church – remember these beautiful pictures of His love.

And, just maybe, God won’t seem distant or unapproachable; the Church equally cold and without feeling.

Maybe each will be more like your beloved – who adores you and calls you to be with him or her.

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for your wonderful, incomparable love.  AMEN.

By Paul Simrell

The Reverend Paul W. Simrell has served for over thirty years in a variety of congregational and institutional settings. He is a recognized minister with standing in the Virginia region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and is nationally endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for specialized ministry in both pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Ordained in 1982, he has served congregations in Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. He currently serves as the pastor of Elpis Christian Church, a small, historic congregation located just a few miles west of Richmond, Virginia. Elpis is the Greek word meaning “expectant hope.” He also serves on the associate clinical staff of the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Richmond, Virginia, both as a pastoral counselor and a ministerial assessment specialist, specializing in executive, clergy and relationship coaching. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and Lexington Theological Seminary and has done advanced clinical training in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, Children’s Medical Center and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas and the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in Richmond, Virginia. He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor, an ACPE Practitioner, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare-Enrich relationship assessment and skills-building program and served as a volunteer chaplain for over twenty years with the CJW Medical Center campuses in Richmond, Virginia. His avocational interests include playing the piano and drawing. He is very happily married to his wife Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell, a free-lance writer, who is also a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare-Enrich program. Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

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