Courtship with the Lord
One day, out of curiosity about being the bride of Christ, I searched for articles discussing “bride of Christ.” I came across one article that opened my eyes to a fact I had yet to acknowledge: as Christians, we are in courtship with the Lord.
As believers, we are patiently waiting (or at least should be) for that glorious day when Jesus returns for His bride. We are expectant of the wedding and the feast. We are excited for the day we become one with the Lover of our souls. Until then, we are to live our lives on this side of heaven in all faith, hope, patience, obedience, purity, and love.
Of course, anyone courting has an intention to marry. Nonetheless, the courtship is an intentional time to do the work needed to prepare for the marriage to come. Those involved do not assume because a marriage is ahead that they are free from the responsibilities of building a healthy solid foundation.
We, as His bride, must have this same approach to show ourselves faithful to the Lord. To show Him that He has all of us. That we willingly spend our lives preparing for forever. Voiding ourselves of things that dishonor and displease Him and ultimately showing ourselves ready by our full submission to His Spirit.
Can you imagine that?! Preparing for forever… When a bride is getting ready for her wedding day, there is so much joy and expectancy and excitement and maybe even nervousness. There is not one decision she makes without her future husband in mind. Imagine how peaceful and restful that would be, to make every decision with the Lord in mind knowing that what you are doing is pleasing Him. That my life puts a smile on His face. That is courtship with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:13-18 “ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”