(a post written on surface level about a subject deeper than the ocean…..)
The Bride has made herself ready…… Whoa…. I read that again. And again. She has made herself ready. Herself. She. Made Herself.
The Church is to prepare Herself for her Bridegroom. She knows her Bridegroom loves her but this is where She is to be actively busy. If She loves the Bridegroom and doesn’t want anyone else then she will be getting ready. Her Bridegroom will not have to beg Her or try to convince Her. Yet it seems that way, doesn’t it?
The art of first love is lost on us. People do not understand it because their frame of reference for true love does not match the biblical meaning.
True love? Well, we can divorce later if it doesn’t work out. Let me test-drive a few partners before I have to marry. You love me more than I have ever been loved so let me settle because love might not come around again and then I will be all alone. Yes, I love you but I have extra needs so I have a few extra pieces on the side…..
We have NO idea what true love is. We live in a society where all sorts of media has replaced meaningful relationships. Where virginities are stolen from youngsters and so love and power are confused and intertwined. Marriage is not forever. Love is actually lust. And if you are not my idea of perfect you are worth nothing. A society where sex can be bought, stolen and even demanded. A society that does not know what true biblical love is.
I wonder if the concept of a Bride readying herself is lost on us too. Do we love our Bridegroom with our whole hearts….or do we have extra pieces on the side for our enjoyment. Are we test driving other partners before we settle down as the Church? Are we preparing to wear white to the marriage supper? Are we prostituting ourselves or are we waiting and preparing?
These are hard questions….and the answers are harder to accept. Yes, grace exists….but that grace should be enabling us to wait and prepare. Not squander…..
Our Bridegroom loves us with a love that cannot be fathomed by us. It is beyond our understanding. But let us learn how to love Him with a love that waits only for Him. A love that will accept no other loves. A heart that beats only for Him. May the Holy Spirit awaken this love in our hearts. Love that stays on the straight and narrow. The Bride in Biblical times that keeps checking out the window for when her betrothed will visit. A Bride who could not even contemplate not walking down the aisle to meet her God.
First Love ❤
True Love ❤
And a Bride that makes Herself ready.