I love how the Scriptures paint this beautiful image of Jesus as my Bridegroom, waiting for me to meet Him at the cross (or altar, if you will). He extends His hand outstretched to mine, ready to take me into His everlasting embrace. He is forever committed to stand by my side, to lead me in the right direction, and to faithfully provide for me everything needed to live a righteous life. When I accepted Him in my heart, He became the Lord of my life and the Love of my life. He never stops pursing me, never stops chasing me, never stops fighting for me. If you think you are waiting for your fairytale prince to come stand below your balcony ready to sweep you off your feet, look no more. Your Prince is here. He is eagerly waiting for you to get swept away in His love. It is no longer Mr. Right who I seek to discover, but it is Jesus Christ, my Bridegroom, who I seek daily.
Marian Jordan, author of "Sex and the City Uncovered" and founder of Redeemed Girl Ministries, wrote the book "Radiant", which was a major influence on my blog from the start. In the first chapter, she beautifully writes about the radiance of a bride on her wedding day. Just as every girl dreams of it (I know I have since I was 4), there is something purely magical about your wedding day. Marian highlights that although the bride is framed perfectly in the doorway with her traditional white dress adorned in fine jewels and an heirloom lace veil, it is not the dress nor the pearls nor the flowers that take her breath away; it is the moment when her eyes meet the groom standing at the altar waiting expectantly for her to come meet her. That is the moment us girls long for. Radiance is what makes the ceremony beautiful. You can see it in the bride's eyes. The guests whisper to each other: "Wow, she is radiant.""Her beauty on this day emanates from a source deep within her soul. She is not beautiful because of a makeup artist's tricks or a hairstylist's skills. No, there is a different quality today, something that is impossible to contain. If this beauty could be bottled, every cosmetic company in the world would clamor for the patent. But it can't be bottled, or produced, for this kind of beauty. Radiance comes from one thing: basking in the glow of love." (pg. 5)
In the same way, when we fall in love with Jesus and we choose to fix our eyes on Him, there is a radiance ignited in our souls that is the most beautiful thing ever created. The love Christ has for us is deeper than anything we can imagine. He is the Creator, the Father of Love. Apart from His love, nothing in our lives can or will be radiant. The glory of God "burst forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding" (Psalm 19:5).
"He initiated the betrothal at His death, making us His. He went away to His Father's House to prepare our home. One day He will return. We don't know when, but He told us to be ready so we prepare ourselves and wait expectantly for His approach. And then, one glorious day, the trumpets will announce His impeding arrival. We, His bride, will only look for His face, searching for the joy we are sure to find."
Christine Hoover ( gracecoversme.com )
Indeed, my God is jealous for me.
