Listen to today’s devo!

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you . . . do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. (Song 2:7)

Recently, I mastered making my perfect cup of coffee (note that I say my perfect cup because I bet if we were each to describe our perfect cups, they would be dramatically different). The perfect cup took time to reach perfection, and it did not come without serious trial and error. One time in particular, I was experimenting with a new method: the French press. I set my water to boil while I prepared the French press and freshly ground coffee. Once the water boiled, I followed the steps and set my timer based on a friend’s suggestion. When the timer went off, I poured the coffee, took a drink, and promptly spit it back out. It tasted almost nothing like coffee and almost everything like diluted bean water!

I learned later that I had misread my friend’s directions. I had poured the coffee well before it was ready. Had I waited, I would have tasted the beautiful, full flavor she intended for me to taste.

The maiden’s charge to the daughters of Jerusalem is clear: wait to arouse love until the right time. If love is awakened out of place, it can be dangerous, harmful, and not a pure representation of how God designed it. She begs them—and us—not to “pour the coffee” too soon, and through her example she assures: love is worth the wait!

Trust that God’s design and timing for love is perfect.

Lindsey Gorveatte is an ordained Wesleyan pastor who currently serves with her husband at The Center Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.