Here Comes the Bride...

In the nursing program, it seems there is something in the water. My classmates are getting engaged by the handfuls. Pretty soon, those without a ring will be a minority.

And while this is an exciting time, for many, it is hard news to hear because they too want to be the soon-to-be bride.

I am writing to myself and the many others who might need an encouragement during this time in our lives of desiring marriage.

Truth: God gives us the example of earthly marriage to represent our relationship with Him.

A marriage relationship is the blend of committment, intimacy, openess, forgiveness, sacrifice, the ability to build new life, etc. But, don't you get it? This is the exact relationship that our God desires with us! We are intended to be married to HIM!

"For your Maker is your husband— the LORD Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth." Isaiah 54:5


So...if we are to be married to him, then there must be an engagment, there must be a wedding, and there must be a honeymoon, too! But, we can't follow through with all of these things without some preparation involved.

First we must find a dress. It has to be perfect, it has to enhance us to our full potential. And be the envy of those in attendance. But what would you say if I told you, your groom picked it for you? He knew just what you wanted, and even what you needed to make you look your absolute best for this once in a life time occassion.

GOD DOES THIS. HE picks our dress!

"I delight greatly in the Lord, my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridgegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a BRIDE adorns herself with her jewels." Isaiah 61:10

All you have to do is, "Say Yes to the Dress"! :)

Then, as a bride, we worry. Will my groom think I'm beautiful in my dress? Will he be taken away at my beauty? What will he think when I walk down the aisle?

"You have stolen my heart, my sister, my BRIDE; you have with stole my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace." Song of Solomon 4:9

No need to worry because, we have stolen our groom's heart! And, He was impressed with just a glance!

Now for the reception. This is a time of celebration for the new marriage! And God doesn't miss out on that either!

"As a bridegroom rejoices over his BRIDE, so will your God rejoice over you." Isaiah 62:5

God rejoices over us. He celebrates with us the opportunity to have a deeper relationship with Him!

Let's always remember that we are first a bride to God, our husband, before we are or will ever be a bride to an eartly husband. And, let's leave the details to our first love. He will provide. Trust that HIS timing is best, and worth the wait. But in the waiting, learn to fall in love with Him! So that as you "grow old" with God he might be able to say,

"I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness, through a land not sown." Jeremiah 2:2