January 8

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards; for our vineyards are in blossom.” Song of Songs 2:15

What are these “little foxes” which are so destructive? Every small appearance of the old life—a habit, a bit of selfishness, uncrucified pride, a tendency to dwell on past grievances—all these and much more are the little foxes.

These are not the grave sins, shameful reversion to the world, but the unobtrusive and often unnoticed contradictions of our calling in Christ. How they spoil what might otherwise be such a delight to God! We are told that in one who has a reputation for wisdom and honor, even a little folly can give what was fragrant an unpleasant odor.

Such follies and foibles threaten to prevent the vines whose blossom is so full of promise from ever realizing their capacity for fruitfulness. Now it might be thought that such minor failings could easily be dealt with, but evidently it is not so. The Beloved does not leave us to cope with them by ourselves. “Let us take . . .,” he whispers. “You need my help. We will do it together.”