When I taught the elementary grades, my litmus test for the children’s well-being was to observe them during recess and ask, “Are they skipping?” Even a child at rest will swing a foot, shrug a shoulder, or sway. I’ve learned skipping is a universal expression of joy.

In Song of Solomon 7:1-2a, the Bride of Christ is allegorically pictured as a princess wearing gorgeous shoes, and with jeweled thighs. Why? She is spiritually adorned with these so she can skip with reckless abandon as a child does.

I am Jesus’ Bride, so I like to think of these as my skipping sandals:

How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O princes’ daughter!

The joints of thy thighs are like jewels;

the work of the hands of a cunning workman.

Song of Solomon 7:1-2a KJV

I say in response, “Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages. Let us get up early…” (Song of Solomon 7:11a KJV). This portrays me skipping to my workplace, and Jesus is right beside me, empowering me to serve effectively. The people I disciple, and those I bring into the kingdom are “my loves.” He gladly receives them, as He also receives me.

My beginning was not so glorious. In Song of Solomon 1:5-8, my head is down, my shoulders are drooping, problems overwhelm me and I’ve lost my way. But this scenario changes when I tell Jesus I need Him to be Lord of my life….

Jesus is not daunted by one challenge I face. He lifts my head, takes my hand, and offers to become my Groom. He is so filled with joy that I’ve come to Him, He is portrayed as leaping like a gazelle (Song of Solomon 2:9 KJV). My beloved shines His light on every one of those shadowy places in my life until only His glory remains. But this is not something I do on my own—He does this for me as I reveal my needs to Him. In this process, He creates in me a joy no circumstance can take away.

When I imagine the great joy He’s worked within me by the time He gives me skipping sandals, I smile wide. Those beautiful shoes and sparkly joints are His gift. My beloved has created me to skip, so I can reach into the spiritual realm and skip with Him each day.

You, dear reader, are the Bride of Christ. Your beloved Groom has created you to skip. So, reach into the spiritual realm, take your Savior’s hand, and skip with Him today.

Lord Jesus, I trust You to create within my spirit a beautiful skip.

Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the villages. Let us get up early to the vineyards;

let us see whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth:

there will I give thee my loves.

Song of Solomon 7:11-12 KJV

Skip is a non-fiction devotion. Concepts are taken from The Kiss of Peace: An Exploration into Song of Solomon by Diane Virginia Cunio (awaiting publication). Used with permission. 

Copyright © 2019: Skip: VineWords: Author Diane Virginia Cunio; Pen Name Diane Virginia: All Rights Reserved: http://www.vinewords.net/skip/devotion 

Published: August 25, 2019: Christian Broadcasting Network: Beth Patch, Senior Producer: https://www1.cbn.com/devotions/skip

Published: August 20, 2019: Christian Devotions Ministries: Martin Wiles, Managing Editor: Cindy Sproles, Executive Editor: www.christiandevotions.us