Temporizing
It was a very dark and cold night. She had a dim candle to light her way to her bed. In her days, the floors were bare ground covered with hay, which meant her feet were dirty before she went to bed. By the side of her bed there was a little bowl with water. She sat by the bed, placed her feet on the cold water, and proceeded to wash them. Immediately, she dried them with a small towel she had by a table - where she had placed the candle. As soon as she dried her feet she put them in the bed, she blew off the candle, and then she put the heavy blankets over her whole body. After a few minutes, she felt comfortable and warm. Her body started to feel rested, and she started to feel the heaviness in her eyes. As soon as her eyes were closed with sleep, she heard the knock at the door. Her Beloved Lover wanted to see her. He wanted to spend time with her. He longed to be intimate with her. She was annoyed that he woke her up. She decided to stay quiet, perhaps he would go away. He insistently kept knocking, and then spoke to her in a very loving way, "Please open the door, my love, and I wish to see you." He continued to beg for entry into her room, so she finally, said angrily, "Not now! The night is dark, and I already blew off the candle. It is cold, and I am already warm under my blankets. And, my feet are clean; I do not want to dirty them by going to the door." Her lover was quiet for a few moments, and then said to her, "It has been a long day, I have not seen you, I long to spend time with you, and you will not regret it." She replied to him with s stern tone, "Come back tomorrow." There was silence for a minute. She felt very bad that she rejected him, moved with remorse, she got up, walked in the dark to the door. After a few moments feeling her way, she found the knob. She opened the door, only to find her lover had left. She sobbed. It would probably be days before she saw her lover again. He may have left to see his fields far away, and would not return anytime soon.
Does this scenario sound familiar? If you have read Song of Solomon's you may realize that it is a paraphrase of Songs 5: 2-6. He left because she was temporizing. What is temporizing? It is to act evasively in order to gain time, avoid argument, or postpone a decision. It is what we do when we do not want to be bothered, inconvenienced, or are caught unprepared. In the latter case, we may be trying to buy some time to find a way out. The woman selfishly and immaturely, found more comfort in the warmth and cleanliness of her bed, then in the company and presence of her Beloved Lover. She perceived she was better off in her condition, "in need of nothing" (Revelation 3: 17), by doing so she rejected the love, warmth, comfort and cleanliness that only Her Beloved Lover can offer.
You may recall the Song of Solomon is a metaphor for the relationship between Christ the Bridegroom - the Beloved Lover - and His Bride the Church. Christ has not come back for us, because we - His Bride the Church - have and continue to reject Him. We do not love His return as much as we love the things of this earth. It is only when His Bride becomes mature in Him that He will come for her.
Let's look at it from Peter's perspective. Let us read 2 Peter 3:9,
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Peter tells us that if the Lord is slow, or if there is any delay, it is for our benefit. Not wanting us to perish, He is waiting for all of us - His Bride - to repent, and turn to Him. When His Bride grows up and matures from her selfish and self centered ways, by answering His loving call - I stand at the door and knock (Revelation 3: 20) - and accepting His Robe of Righteousness, we will want Him as much as He wants us, and we will not temporize any longer. He will come for us, and we will be ready to leave with Him. Amen.
Raúl Díaz
