I haven’t been writing lately, because I’ve started to send monthly emails to those who are interested. Below is one I sent a few months back. I would love for you to consider joining the email list so I can send you an occasional email as well! To join the list, click here.
I’m sure you’ve been to a wedding before. They always go on forever, making the most of every second, so the attention can be centered on the bride. Because at a wedding everyone knows it’s all about the bride!
I went to a wedding a few weeks back that caught me off guard. It was quick. To the point. They didn’t have a unity candle, no long message or sermon and no solo. Just vows and a kiss. For all the attendees it was amazing!
It must have been the simplicity in the ceremony that got me thinking, I’m certain of it. But when the pastor had the couple share their vows, I immediately began thinking of the role of the local Church. The bride of Christ!
The Church is the most beautiful thing in the world through the eyes of Christ. And many of you reading this get the opportunity to serve in the bride of Christ on a weekly and daily basis. Do you consider it as one of the greatest joy’s in all your life?
As the pastor continued to prompt each spouse the next statement of their vows, I couldn’t help but continue to see this picture through the lens of the Church.
“From this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part….”
To have and to hold... It’s the promise Jesus and the Church made to one another. Though our culture seems to have lost it’s faith in the institution of the local church, we can still rest assured that the Church is the greatest institution in the world in the eyes of our Savior. Ephesians seems to speak a lot about the role of the local Church in God’s grand vision and it’s particularly interesting that in Ephesians 5 Paul also relates the relationship of a husband and wife to that of the church.
“This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.” – Ephesians 5:32
So I don’t know where you’re at with the whole loving or hating the church thing right now. I want you to know that you work for the greatest organization on the planet and it seems that everywhere we turn the grass is always greener on the other side.
That may be true, I don’t know, but I do know that the other side isn’t the bride of Christ. I pray that this means something to you as It has renewed in me a depth of love for the local Church as I get a chance to serve her well week in and week out.
