BRIDE, GUEST, EVENT PLANNER OR WORKER
BLOG #9
www.a2zRedemption.com
I was recently introduced to a new word by an acquaintance I hadn’t seen in a while. When I asked how she was doing, she answered, “We’ve been extremely busy churching these past few weeks.” Not being familiar with this word, I asked the obvious, “What is churching?” She casually answered, “You know, it’s all the stuff that goes on in church, the meetings, social stuff, we’re home group leaders now and that takes up the majority of our time these days.” I got it, nodded and transitioned to another topic.
When I arrived home, I ran to Yeshua and asked, “Did you know that your Church is no longer a noun but a verb?” Then I heard Him roar with laughter as He reminded me that this was just a new word to describe an old behavior. He wasn’t concerned but I was appalled, and told Him so.
Then He reminded me that His Bride, His Church, knows Him and He knows His Bride. That it’s easy to recognize them, because they are the lovesick ones longing for their bridegroom. They are the Shulamite described in Song of Solomon, “By night on my bed I sought the One I love; I sought Him, but I did not find Him. “I will rise now,” I said, “And go about the city; In the streets and in the squares I will seek the One I love.” The watchmen who go about the city found me; I said, “Have you seen the One I love?” Scarcely had I passed by them, when I found the One I love. I held Him and would not let him go…” (Song of Solomon 3:1-4)
Like the Shulamite, His Bride, His Church, are the ones who seek after Him night and day. They are unashamed of their hunger and love for their bridegroom and go to any lengths in hot pursuit of Him. And when they find Him, they will not let Him go. They are the clingy ones, the ones who don’t fit it with the crowd because everything they do and think is about the bridegroom. They are consumed with everything about Him and their only offense, is when it is directed at their Beloved.
They follow Him like puppy dogs to wherever He is. They do what He does, go where He leads, talk like He talks, think like He thinks, through joy, suffering, even death, they are like a lovesick teenager, panting after their Beloved. This bride is not concerned about fitting it with the other guests at her wedding. She is purposely dressed differently to stand out from the crowd and her gaze is glued on one person, her Bridegroom. The Bride cannot hide nor wants to conceal her identity. She is unashamed, and unapologetic about this one thing, she lives for her Bridegroom.
The beautiful reality is that the feeling is reciprocated, for her Beloved feels even greater passionate intensity for His Bride, so much so, that He laid down His life in exchange for this relationship. Oh! How deep is this love?
Are you a noun or verb? Are you the bride or bride-ing; are you the church or churching; are you a guest at the wedding, (maybe even a very prominent and important guest, but a guest nonetheless), an event planner, or a worker at this most majestic, prestigious event? We choose our position with every choice we make. This bridegroom asks for your hand in marriage. Will you accept and take your position, with your lamps lit, plenty of oil in reserve, looking forward with ecstatic longing for the day your bridegroom returns. Or, do you choose ‘churching’ instead?
Shalom
www.a2zRedemption.com