Sensuously Celebrating
God created pleasure and gave humans the intentional ability to celebrate with body, soul, and spirit. Sensuality is His gift, and Christians above all people should be able to celebrate, as they utilize all of their five senses. The Song of Solomon depicts a sensual, sexual celebration: “My lover has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to browse in the gardens and to gather lilies” (6:2 NIV).
Sensual celebrations and the ability to party are not about simple indulgence. Celebration is about sharing with others and gathers momentum with the connection of souls. It is centered in tuning in to God’s heart. The discipline of romantic celebration involves joy and lightheartedness. Like so many of the disciplines, it helps join body and soul in experiencing an intimate connection.
Sexual celebrations create this same personal excitement by reaching out to enjoy our oneflesh lover. Though the childlike traits of playfulness and uninhibited vulnerability are present, celebration is an adult activity. True romance and sensual celebration take adult experience and feelings of love and Eros, of bodies and hearts resonating in sexual tension and release. Learn to truly party as you tune in to the heart of your Creator and your spouse.
Totally Present
A husband complained that his wife was so distracted she had asked if they were out of diapers—during the height of their lovemaking! She said he wasn't much better. The previous night at a tender moment, he had exclaimed those endearing words: “Oh no, my mom’s visit starts tomorrow.” They were praying that God would help both of them bring their hearts, minds, and bodies into the bedroom to mutually enjoy their love life. Jesus encourages us to live each day and moment in a full and thorough manner. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself” (Matt. 6:34 NIV). An early church father, Jean Pierre de Cassaude, said it so beautifully as he encouraged every Christian to carefully honor “the sacrament of the present moment.” It is exciting and tremendously romantic to be fully present and available to another person, with no distractions or preoccupations. Just the two of you there in that moment.
Practicing this discipline with Jesus' help gives us glimpses into the supernatural throughout our daily living. To be totally present for our mate and our lovemaking can create arnazing discoveries in intimacy. However, this focus requires the mental discipline to rebalance our priorities, to say no to conflicting demands, and to reprioritize the truly important segments of our life. Romantic love does not come in a jar that can be opened whenever we please.
Rather, like a beautifully maintained garden, it requires time, energy, and mental discipline.
Being truly present is a marvelous but difficult exercise in intimacy. Tuning out the rest of our life (especially children and job) and focusing in on the "now” with our mind, heart, and body are such valuable aspects of lovers becoming erotic and intimate. Eliminate distractions and center in on your mate's body and soul. Revel for a few minutes in this closeness. Wow! The bedroom can offer many great examples of “the sacrament of the present moment.”
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