The Dressing Room

I have heard sermons preached about the difficulty and discomfort of having to wait upon the Lord at various times in our lives. It has been compared to hospital waiting rooms with all of the anxiety, stress, pain, along with a multitude of other issues we must accept while in the waiting room before a situation can be made better. However I have never heard anyone discuss “The Dressing Room”.

The Church is described as the glorious bride of Christ which He, the Savior will return and claim in an instant. I want to offer a perspective on this truth that I have not heard anyone talk about.

In order to have a bride, we must first have a proposal.  Christ has proposed to His body through His sacrifice and offered us the most wonderful invitation to be with Him forever in the presence of our all mighty God. 

Just as a marriage vow states “for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part” Christ has vowed to us, his bride, only without the poorer, the sickness and the death. Once you say “yes” to Christ and accept salvation just as a new fiancé, there is a future ahead of you to plan for.

As a new fiancé you can cheat yourself of all that is offered to you.  You can try to do things the quick and easy way figuring the end result is the same.  But any bride can tell you that the justice of the peace is no comparison to the beauty and significance found in a wedding gown, a church, a minister and witnesses.  If you recognize your status as the bride of the King of all Kings, you will want to do things right. Even if you felt unworthy of the grandeur, He, the King is entitled to and deserving of only the best.

So you begin the long process. You first begin to study everything you can find on the proper planning of the event.  You read books, you talk to experts, and you enlist the aid and advice of family and friends.  You taste cakes. You look at colors, flowers, dresses, people, rings and listen to dozens of songs. Slowly through a long process in which you are faced with a multitude of confusing choices you begin to form a definitive vision.  

There are numerous times throughout the process that you feel overwhelmed and consider giving up. Nothing goes as planned. You at times question your decisions, even the commitment itself. But somewhere in the chaos you find a quiet moment in which you find the embrace of your betrothed. It is in that moment that you know there is nothing you would not endure for an eternity embraced In His love.

Our lives are like the planning process full of choices, disappointments, and stress. But it is only the process. We have to find that quiet moment with the betrothed to renew our reason and our passion for the decision. It is also important to be careful in whom you choose for your bridal party.  The bride should have close associations with those who will aid in her journey, encourage her and remind her of who she really is.

Then after what will seem like an eternity of working, studying, planning, and preparing, the day will arrive. There will be no waiting room. There will be the dressing room.

The bride on that day does not look back. She no longer concerns herself with decisions of the past. What she feels this day is a mix of anticipation, longing, love and a little fear.  The butterflies flit back and forth inside with little nagging doubts.  Will he change his mind at the last minute? Will he finally see me for the flawed person I really am and decide I am not good enough to be accepted? Can he really love me so much?

With nervous and excited hands she does her makeup. Every hair must be carefully placed. Her jewels have been chosen with the utmost care. The wedding dress is the most exquisite gown anyone has ever seen. At this moment she overlooks no detail. All she has to offer him at the end of this long process is herself and her heart. She will present him with only her best.

So I want to ask you. Where are you?

Are you right now preparing yourself to give only your best to Christ? Have you spent the time to prepare for the most important day of your life? Or have you not even accepted the proposal and are still walking alone with an uncertain future?

I personally want to only offer my very best.  The butterflies stay in my stomach. But I find those quiet moments in which He reassures me of his love. Don’t cheat yourself of the wonder and glory He has planned for you. Don’t diminish the importance of who he is by not properly preparing yourself. And if you have not accepted His proposal, reach out to Him and know his love.  There is nothing that can fill the soul, heal the hurts, and give purpose to life like the love of Christ.