Let
us rejoice and be glad and give him the glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made
herself ready. (Rev
19:7 NIV)
A dear friend of mine got married last weekend to
a man who truly seems to be her match.
As a bride in her 30s, I’m sure she felt like she waited an
eternity to meet him and be with him.
They both weathered years of heartache, disappointments, and
fear before the moment when they both happened to be in the right
place at the right time. It’s hard to describe the quantity and
quality of gratitude they both experienced as they made sacred vows,
as they gave themselves to each other.
The groom, who began a relationship with Jesus
only two years ago , wanted to share his testimony as part of the
ceremony. He turned to
the guests and with a humble, trembling voice said, “I just… want to
thank you for being part of the… happiest day of my life.”
He carefully explained how he came to realize his sin and
complete inability to save himself.
Broken-hearted and hopeless, one day he could clearly see
that God loved him, God wanted him, God did all the work—in
advance—to save him and provide the good promise of Heaven.
He never imagined God would also send him a godly woman to
love him, want him and provide a good life for him.
He was full of joy for not one, but two overwhelming gifts of
grace.
A few years ago, a wise colleague of mine said
thoughtfully, “You know, women always pour so much time and energy
into planning their weddings.
I wish I could encourage them to spend even a
portion of that effort
into preparing to be wives.
Can you imagine the difference it could make in their lives?”
His admonition got me thinking about what it means to be a
bride.
What is a bride, if not a woman in the throws of
plans and anticipation?
Great anticipation.
Thick, tangible anticipation.
She is drawing sketches for the reception and counting RSVPs.
She is practicing her new last name.
She is nervous, excited, full of hope, full of dreams as she
plans the biggest party of her life. She is loving and wanting, and
she is loved and wanted in return.
If she takes it a step further, she is also preparing herself
for a future with the man she will make her life partner.
She is building her character and considering ways she can be
a helper to her husband.
And the Bible describes us believers, the Church,
as a bride. Jesus called
himself a bridegroom and used the analogy of marriage to explain the kingdom of Heaven.
(Matthew 25:1-6) In
fact, the Bible mentions the Church as a “bride” more than it
mentions being a “wife.” I can only assume that built into our
relationship with Christ now is anticipation for a future relationship. A changed
relationship. A
completed relationship.
I have to say, I think men miss out on something…
though it’s true that I don’t know what it is to be a groom.
Brides anticipate how they will look when they are dressed
and styled. They anticipate the feel of a bouquet in hand. They
anticipate the mood that music will bring as it filters the room.
Most of all, they anticipate that moment when they step into the
aisle and come... come to their groom... come to the one they trust
enough to give their hearts.
No wonder people cry.
I guess we're somewhere in between wondering if
there is anyone out there to love us, to want us... and the moment
of stepping out into the aisle. Are we rushing all over town to
gather what we need for Heaven? Are we building into our character
and considering how we can best be of joy to Jesus Christ? Are we
resting in gratitude at the wonder of what has been provided?
The vows have been pondered and crafted, but they
are not yet in place. Make yourself ready.
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