We are having a wedding in the family in June. One of our grandsons is getting married! The excitement has been building over the last few months of the couple's engagement. Stephen and Kaitlin (names changed for privacy) are making their plans long-distance. They can't be together yet, since she has to finish college.
It is fun to keep up with the progress of the wedding plans via Facebook. Weddings seem to be more complicated nowadays. A venue must be decided on, wedding party chosen, and a million details that seem to fall to the bride. Early on, Kaitlin showed off a pretty, hand-crafted wedding planner journal. Then her little flower girl was announced. A little later, news was that she had found her wedding gown!
Meanwhile, she can't stop talking about her groom-to-be. Pictures of him float on internet with words singing his praises. His good looks, personality, kindness and thoughtfulness are extolled. (Of course, I agree with them!) Everything reminds Kaitlin of Stephen. She found a guitar pick of his in her car and marveled over it, remembering his strumming and singing.
I can't help but think about the church's role as the bride of Christ, our soon-coming Bridegroom! We should be as my future granddaughter-in-law: Can't stop talking about Him. Telling of the Lord's goodness. Finding daily reminders of him in our lives through answered prayer, the beauty of creation, or little things that make us know He is thinking of us!
Meanwhile, Jesus is preparing a place for us, just as it is Stephen's role to secure an apartment for them in the distant city where they will live. When I asked my daughter how he would know if Kaitlin likes the home he selects, she said he would send her pictures. Jesus has sent us word pictures about our heavenly home. We are told there are streets of gold, a beautiful river, a place of joy and gladness. Most important of all, He says, "Where I am, there ye may be also."
Kaitlin has an engagement ring. This is her promise of a wedding. Jesus gives us "the earnest of our inheritance," Ephesians 1:14. Verse 13 says, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise."
When the time comes that the new couple will want to buy a house, earnest money, or a deposit, may be called for, insuring that they will follow through on the purchase. The Holy Spirit Jesus gave us is our "earnest money" on our new home in heaven!
A couple of days ago I read Kaitlin's post on Facebook that "The cake has been ordered!" It made me wonder if "the cake has been ordered" in heaven, with the angels getting it ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb! The invitations have been sent, just as the young couple's invitations will be sent, and I plan to be there for both weddings!
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