“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” ~ Hebrews 13:14, NLT

Even though stress is a huge factor in wedding planning, it’s a known factor; everyone talks about it.  One thing no one ever talks about is the yearning you feel for your future husband or wife.  Just so you know, I’m NOT talking about physical yearning.  That’s a given.  

I’m talking about the ache to be united with Andrew spiritually and emotionally.  The ache is so deep that sometimes it’s physically painful.  It’s an ache that will only be fulfilled by marriage, in all its mystery of making a man and woman “one flesh” (Gen. 2:24).  It’s an ache that longs to be truly home – and home means being with him. 

The Longing

This longing is intentional.  God gives it to us for (at least) two reasons.  First, this is the type of longing we should have for Christ.  We should be longing for Him with as much desire as we long for our spouse.  A bride longs for her groom – why should the Bride of Christ be any different?  Paul often talks about the Church “eagerly waiting” for Christ (Rom. 8:251 Cor. 1:7Gal. 5:5Phil. 3:20).  This original Greek connotes a more patient waiting than I feel, however I believe the sentiment is the same.  A bride is eagerly awaiting her union to the man of her dreams; we, too, should be eagerly awaiting our union to Christ.

Second, and far more astonishingly, I this is the type of longing Christ has for us.  In traditional Jewish culture, the man would leave His betrothed for a period of time as he prepared a home for her.  In the upper room, Jesus told his disciples that he was doing exactly that – He would leave them to prepare a place for them, and then he would come back  (John 14:1-3).  

Christ our Bridegroom

Christ is a Bridegroom, and of course He should long for His Beloved. Can you imagine that? The longing you feel for your spouse (or future spouse, be they known to you or not) is the same longing God has for you.  That deep, almost painful, spiritual longing is shared by Jesus.  Our home should be with Him, and He feels it keenly.

What is more, I will (most likely) have my longing for Andrew fulfilled before Jesus has His longing fulfilled.  It is possible that Jesus will come to claim His Bride before September 3; however, September 3 will probably come and go, and Jesus will have tarried even longer for His Bride.  I’ve been waiting six months; Jesus has been waiting 2,000 years.  To put things further into perspective, Jesus doesn’t even know the day that His longing will be fulfilled for His Bride (Mark 13:32).  I have a countdown on my phone.  Forty-four days has never seemed so long. But can you imagine waiting and not knowing?

If you are engaged, be encouraged by that thought.  Be strong in Christ – for He understands, beloved.  He understands.  But whether you are engaged or not, be comforted by the knowledge that He longs for you – and endeavor to long for Him, too.


Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments