But do they have to be?
Have you heard the Selena Gomez single, It Ain’t Me? It’s a catchy tune, one you just might want to set on repeat for a while. If you do listen to it, take a few minutes to meditate on the lyrics.** I expect something, there, will ring true, especially if you’ve ever had hard times in your love life.
She sings of a past love, remembering some of the times they enjoyed being together. But she also laments they drifted apart, mostly because of the other party’s bad behavior. In the chorus, she asks:
Who's gonna walk you through the dark side of the morning?
Who's gonna rock you when the sun won't let you sleep?
Who's waking up to drive you home when you're drunk and all alone?
Who's gonna walk you through the dark side of the morning?
You get the sense she did those things, at least for a while; got out of her empty bed to drive her love home from a night of debauchery, helped with the hangover, provided support through the dark times.
But then, she answers those questions: It ain’t me.
The questions are rhetorical. She’s already moved past the point of no return. She’s not going to do any of those things, anymore. She’s not coming back. She’s had enough.
It’s over.
But make no mistake: the song is about fidelity ... or, at least, the desire for it. As is the book of Hosea, despite how it may look otherwise in this week’s scripture. At God’s instruction, Hosea marries a person who seems unsuited for a sustained relationship. They form a life together, have children together. But, his spouse keeps cheating on him. And the children are not his.
The longer you stay in a relationship, the greater the likelihood the two of you are going to face difficulties. There are no two people who are alike: that, alone, guarantees conflicts. But, it’s at a whole different level when a spouse continues to looks elsewhere for intimacy.
So, what holds them together?
This is the question we need to answer about God and us. In Hosea, his marital relationship serves as an illustration of how God sees the chosen people; God loves them, and demonstrates that love every day. But the chosen people keep looking to other gods, false gods. They are serially unfaithful.
The amazing thing, here, is that God forgives their infidelity. In fact, God proclaims, ... in the place where it was said to them, "You are not my people," it shall be said to them, "Children of the living God.”
He wants them back.
God knows we stray. But, despite our infidelity to God, God remains faithful to us. Sure, there will be some rocky times. There will be those times when, by our pursuit of others to fill the place of God, we separate ourselves from God. But, God wants us to return. Even at our most remote, God loves us and remains faithful.
Who’s gonna walk you through the dark side of the morning?
You know.
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PHOTO: Steve Orr
** You can listen to “It Ain’t Me”, here. Just press SKIP AD when it appears on the screen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6sSQq7a_Po&app=desktop
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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 12 (17) (July 28, 2019)
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu//texts.php?id=272
Hosea 1:2-10
Psalm 85
Genesis 18:20-32
Psalm 138
Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19)
Luke 11:1-13
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Will you be with us Friday morning at DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast? We read the Bible, discuss how it works in our real lives. Plus, we find time for a meal, some fellowship, a prayer, and, perhaps surprisingly, quite a bit of laughter.
Join us at 8:00 at Waco’s “Egg and I” restaurant. We’re usually in the function room (along the outside to a separate entry near the back), but ask if you don’t find us
It’s a great way to start the weekend.
Blessings,
Steve
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