Here comes the BRIDE…
Once upon a time a beautiful wedding was about to take place. The people who were invited were all buzzing with anticipation. All of the bridesmaids and groomsmen had assumed their positions, the candles had been lit, the music was playing, the groom was in place and joy was the dominant mood in the room.
THEN the doors open and the BRIDE began her walk towards her husband…and that is when the trouble began.
Some people actually took their focus off of the BRIDE and began to discuss whether or not the people in the room had been chosen for invitation…or if they had merely accepted an invitation. Little groups began to discuss and debate this issue, thus ignoring the BRIDE.
Other’s began to complain about the music the BRIDE was walking in step with. They put their personal preferences in place of what the BRIDE had chosen for that particular day. And the ones not offended by the music…they could not quit complaining about the color of the carpet. Little groups of dissension began to develop all over the room. Their focus was not on the BRIDE.
Some people actually began to get up and leave because, when the BRIDE walked by, she didn’t take the time to sit down with each of them and ask their opinion about the wedding that was taking place.
Some people began to say, “I’m just not sure about this. There are really a lot of people here at this wedding. It’s huge! I prefer smaller weddings. The BRIDE should not have invited so many people.”
Some people began to criticize the fact that there were people at the wedding that they didn’t think should be there. They weren’t “dressed up,” and so their focus shifted from the beauty of the BRIDE to their own self righteousness and the fact that they “looked nicer.”
For some it just wasn’t that good of an experience…
But for others…they just couldn’t stop smiling…
They knew they wouldn’t have even been able to walk in the doors were it not for the invitation of the BRIDE and GROOM.
They could not stop focusing on the beauty of the BRIDE…each step she took was intentional and brought her closer and closer to the GROOM. And those who were actually focused on her somehow felt like they were taking that journey as well.
They could not wait to embrace the BRIDE…to thank her for the invitation. They weren’t concerned with the BRIDE recognizing them and “their needs,” they knew that this day just wasn’t about them.
They enjoyed everything about the experience, knowing that something larger than them was taking place.
They were so excited that so many people were involved in this experience…and their hearts actually ached for those who they knew needed to be caught up in that moment.
They knew they were guests and not the person of honor…that the BRIDE and GROOM were to be the center of attention…and that brought them great delight.
Once upon a time this took place; in fact, it took place all over the world…today. The church is the BRIDE of Christ…she’s beautiful, she’s breathtaking…and when she walks step by step to get closer to her GROOM…there is NOTHING that compares to that on the planet…nothing.
Those that want to make the BRIDE all about themselves and argue and dispute about aspects of the ceremony itself will never fully appreciate all that is happening…and therefore miss out on so much.
BUT…those who are just happy to be there…the ones that get JOY when the BRIDE takes another step, the ones who want as many people as possible to be there and participate in the great celebration that will soon be taking place…the ones who understand that the ceremony taking place isn’t about them and their needs…the ones who can’t quite focusing on the BEAUTY of the BRIDE…
They are the ones who get the most out of the ceremony. They are the ones who truly experience joy on a level seldom found by self seekers. They are the ones who are FULL of appreciation, understanding that attendance to the wedding wouldn’t even be possible had they not received the invitation. They are the ones who immediately run out and try their best to get others to come before the BRIDE makes it all the way down the aisle (she is getting closer, you know!)
Here comes the BRIDE—she’s breathtaking, and despite mankind’s attempt to blemish her…she’s still here. Governments and nations will pass away…but the BRIDE will still take step by step, closing the distance of time in regards to the Great Wedding Feast. She’ll be taunted and jeered…she’ll be misrepresented by bad television preachers…she’ll be misquoted and abused…but in the end we will all stand in awe at her beauty and, in that moment, fully understand and appreciate the life is about so much more than getting our needs met and everyone knowing everyone.
Here comes the BRIDE…is your focus on her?