He’s coming for a Pure Bride. As I repeat this idea over and over in my head, it is both chilling and warming. Christus Victor is coming in search of a pure and holy bride, worthy of the eternal marriage between the heart of the Maker and the hearts of his creation. I could not help but blog about this, just because I am so captivated with the idea. The love that brews and flames within me for this holy union breeds humility...that I, a sinner amongst sinners, will be joined with Love. There will be no death do us part, for He is eternal, and I am eternally His. As a teenage girl, the idea of a fantasy life with a perfect husband surrounds my environment. This idea of perfection on earth is lost to me, however. With the imperfection on earth, what is there to put my hope in? Mere trinkets of this world? I don’t think so! With the acceptance of imperfection, I gain hope for ultimate perfection that I will delight in with my Father. I choose to put my hope in the unseen, the unmoved Mover, and ergo put my hope and trust in utter beauty and perfection. Am I perfect? Absolutely not. Will I one day be eternally bonded with the utmost perfection? Certainly. So what do I do in the meantime? In the time I spend awake during everyday? I live according to the scriptures, I delight in leisure, and in the beauty of work. I strive to feed my curiosity and hunger with what the Maker provides me to fill it with and nothing more. For how could there be more? Delighting in any other detracts and generates starvation. However, my God the Almighty overflows my cup, provides for me like no other source, shines light in the dark, and desires a pure bride so that when he returns to His earth, he may find His bride, damn the stains that darken her, and all shall be pure, without imperfection. Blessings, Nora.
Oh, my! What a thought - “there will be no death do us part!” You know how I love a good paradox; I think I’ll be mulling on this one for a while!
ReplyDeleteYes, there will be no “death do us part” when we, the Church, the Bride, are finally joined to our Bridegroom. Indeed, one might posit that, in this marriage, death has become crucial to the joining. After all, it is through Christ’s death on the cross that He obtains for us the spotless garment of white which adorns His bride, and it is through our willing death to our sinful human nature, symbolically celebrated in baptism, that we take up that garment and are clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
Historically, the best man at a wedding was there to help the groom fight off the bride’s family should they attempt to prevent the wedding and take her back. This reminds that my daily death to flesh stands as a guard against the ties to this earth and my own self that so often try to steal me away from utter devotion to my Savior. How interesting to think that Christ’s death on the cross has not only conquered death but perhaps even redeemed it for His glory and my good!
I can't help but mention that you have some beautiful phrasing in this post, Nora. "[D]amn the stains that darken her" - that's some mighty fine use of alliteration & rhythm, my dear! You make me proud!
Nora,
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing your words and your heart. You truly are living an abundant life...I love the part about delighting in leisure and in the beauty of work. It's a good reminder to me of the value of both!! Keep writing. You are so gifted!
Love,
Mrs. Mackin