To Live as His Beloved

(Photo courtesy of Karl Maasdam Photography, Corvallis, OR.)

I rarely get to sit at weddings. But I’ve stood in more than 200 of them. And may I say, I usually get the best, um, standing position in the house.

I’m not talking about seeing the bride make her way down the aisle – everybody gets up to see that. The best place to stand in a wedding is next to the groom. When they fling that door open and she comes in on Daddy’s arm, I can sense it. I can feel it. Heck, sometimes I can hear it.

There in that least-photographed moment, an otherwise robust, strong-hearted man melts. I’ve seen grown men cry. I’ve seen them rendered speechless. I’ve sensed their breathing and pulse increase. I’ve heard them say under their breath, “Ummph,” or “Wow,” which sorta says it all.

Friends and family have helped his beloved adorn herself. For him. And in that moment, there is nothing he wouldn’t do for his bride. Nothing he wouldn’t say to express the depth of his love for her and the level of his commitment to her.

And after that, they both live happily ever after.

Right?

Okay, maybe not. Brides become wives and grooms become husbands, and that’s where the trouble begins.

An Earthly Reflection of a Spiritual Reality

In order to describe our relationship to Him, the Lord saw fit to use the image of the bride adorned for her husband, with Christ being referred to as “the Bridegroom.” It’s a beautiful image, but there’s a difference at this Marriage Feast: The bride forever remains a bride. The groom forever remains the Bridegroom.

Every day’s a wedding day in this marriage. The church is never referred to as “the wife of Christ.” She forever remains the Bride. The Lord never loses His groom-like love for her… for you… if you have trusted Him as your Savior.

He. Adores. You.

(Photo by Michelle Newell Photography, Lynnwood and Seattle, WA)

This is no typical romantically-lazy husband, clutching the remote in one hand and a drink in the other, asking when supper’s ready. He forever remains the one whose heart leaps at the sight of you, His bride. And therein lies the point.

How Long?

Life is filled with meetings and to-dos and bills and soccer/basketball/football/you-name-it games and meetings and work and meals and vacations and careers. There are things to do for yourself. For your family. For everybody you’re trying to please. For God. I get it.

But how long has it been since you gave yourself permission or heeded His call, just to be the bride…?

(Photo by Shyla Photography)

How long has it been since you enjoyed the fact that He has set His love on you, as if you were the only object of His love on the planet?

How long has it been since you heard His voice singing over you as an eternal Troubadour, showing you His delight in you?

How long has it been since you came away from the noise and toys and cherished His presence?