There is this phrase that often pops up within society in general, but also Christian society as well. It's the phrase of what our "responsibility" or "duty" is as people or Christians. We consider it our responsibility to care for other people. It's our responsibility to care for our family. We have to go vote or worship or give money or (insert important act here) because it's our responsibility. Personally, this is the language and perspective I sometimes have. I will say, "it's what we do as church." In other words, there's a sense of "duty" or "responsibility" around that action. Inside this narrative of duty or responsibility is the idea that we can do nothing else. It's part of who we are.

And yet, there's more to what we do than "responsibility". Our scripture this week, Song of Solomon 2:8-13 directs us towards the motivation of love. Song of Solomon is a love story that on one level is about a man and woman. We follow the pursuit and affection of these two people as they proclaim their love. And it's also a metaphor for our relationship with God. How we pursue God and God pursues us like lovers. Song of Solomon invites us to consider not only what God has asked us to do out of this sense of duty, but also what it looks like to follow God out of the sense of love.