When God reveals Himself <3

Russ and I attended one of the sweetest weddings this weekend. I know, I know. All weddings are sweet. But this one just touched my heart in so many ways with tender moments where God showed His love for us. 

For one thing, we were invited because we have loved and supported the groom’s parents for several decades and have watched him grow up from across the world through newsletters from his parents on their missionary journey. 

Then we were surprised with God’s sense of humor as we realized the bride is the big sister of one of Graham’s new soccer teammates. As he has played on the Varsity team, he has gotten to know some of the upper classmen and this one happens to lead his Tuesday morning Bible study. 

If that wasn’t enough to start the water shed for me…think of it…Graham’s Bible study mentor emceeing the wedding when we thought all we knew was the groom and his family…the ceremony itself is etched in my mind. 

There was nothing unique or extraordinary about the service. It followed all the typical format of a traditional wedding. But my seat was in such a place that the only opening I had between the rows ahead of me was a frame of the groom’s face. 

I have heard people say they watch the groom’s face when the bride comes in. I am one who is trying to see every detail of her hair, dress, jewelry and flowers as she comes down the aisle. But for this one, I had no choice but to watch his face through the entire ceremony. 

If love and joy could be painted in only one portrait, it would be his in this moment. He never took his eyes off of her and it was as if he were seeing all his dreams come true and he didn’t want to blink. His expression was the perfect definition of the word “cherish”.

And here is the thing that just moved me so much. 

In Scripture, the Church is the Bride of Christ. He is portrayed as the Groom. I never could quite understand how one big body of people could be a “bride”. I am so literal that it has been an image I have struggled with as I try and picture men, women and children all being the bride to His groom-ness. 

Until Saturday. 

I realized that Jesus looks on us with the same tenderness and fullness of love and joy. He doesn’t take His eyes off of us and we are the fulfillment of His mission and dreams and work. 

Perfect?

No. 

Far from it. 

But He looks on us with such love and joy and when we grasp how fully and deeply we are loved by Him, we love in return. 

All the years I have not quite grasped that imagery and now, it is now as clear as day to me. 

God revealed Himself to me and I am so filled with love and joy for Him. We are not the “wife” of Christ, we are the Bride. The moment mirrored in every wedding here on planet Earth where the groom steps forward and looks at his bride and they join hands to begin a lifetime together. 

It is a moment and in that moment we get a picture of how Christ loves His Church and desires to be united with her. 

Blessings, friends.

I hope you have a good start to your week <3