I have somewhat recently purchased The Passion Translation Bible (PTB). It is a new translation that is to “reintroduce the passion and fire of the Bible to the English reader. It doesn’t merely convey the literal meaning of words. It expresses God’s passion for people and his world by translating the original, life-changing message of God’s Word for the modern reader." I thought that it would be good to read another more “modern” translation just because.
Well, when I received PTB, I knew it didn’t have the complete Bible, but it did include Psalms, Proverbs, and the Song of Songs from the Old Testament and the complete New Testament. So, I was perusing through, the Song of Songs caught my attention. Literally, the title was lite up. I thought that was interesting, so I asked Papa God what that meant. Of course, He gave me a “read it and find out”.
Understand that I am a theater person as my background. When I read anything, I read for the story first, then I go back and read for characters, their background and such. So, that’s how I read the Bible. Usually, during those readings are when Holy Spirit will highlight things to me. Whether they are concepts or just the “what is happening here” and I research it.
I have read the Song of Songs only once before. That was in the King James Version when I was a very new believer and I didn’t like it at all. In fact, it repulsed me, to be honest. I had no understanding of that kind of intimacy and I was only 17. So, I never went back to it, until I got the PTB.
I asked Papa what I should be looking for and I heard nothing. So, my prayer was “Holy Spirit, help me read through this story with a new heart and new understanding. I then commenced reading.
The Song of Songs has 8 chapters. Within these 8 chapters is the heart of the King toward his Bride. How much he loves his bride. It also shows the struggle of the Bride, even though she loves the King, she struggles. By the time I finished reading the whole book in one sitting, I was in tears. Yes, I cried. I cried because the King LOVES ME. He loves his Bride beyond anything we can even imagine. He loves us as a groom loves his bride.
So, my reaction rather surprised me. I went before Papa and thanked him for loving me as I am. I hadn’t realized how much the intimacy in my relationship with him was so overwhelming. I know that when I was younger, intimacy meant sex. But, after being married for going on 34 years, intimacy is not only sex but an opening up of feelings, dreams, a friendship that goes beyond a friendship-love or even a lover-love.
I sat in my chair for quite awhile just ruminating over what I had just read. Then, I hear Holy Spirit whisper, “It’s a play. It needs to be performed.”
My reaction, “What!? I can’t write a play, especially The Song of Songs. Are you kidding me?”
He whispered again. “Read it again as a play. Then make your determination.”
So, I read it again. And when I did, I saw an 8 scene play along with the characters and how it could be set. It came to life in my head! As I read, I saw it played out. Lights. Sound. Costumes. I saw the whole shebang.
So, I am in process of adapting the Song of Songs into a play format. More like reader’s theater than a full-blown show, but still effective non-the-less. This is a collaborative journey with Papa. I go into my rehearsal hall in heaven and work through scenes and sometimes look at lighting and costumes. It’s a blast! Papa allowing me to be creative in a very different way and it is more satisfying than anything I’ve done in the past.
I heard a song by Paul Wilbur called “The Song of the Beautiful Bride”.
This is the story of Song of Songs. I again wept with joy and love for my King.
