I used to think God's plan was a jigsaw puzzle. And I was a piece just waiting for Him to tell me where I fit. Fitting meant going into the profession He told me, and letting Him use me how He wanted to. I've wondered for years whether I'm a future wife (in the earthly sense) or not. I've known for years I'm getting married (to Jesus) when I go to Heaven.
But I've been so focused on finding my place in the puzzle of this life. I didn't think much about fitting into the dress for the next one.
A friend once said, “Monica a guy would probably have to hit you over the head with your schoolbooks.”
Good thing, the Lord's not prone to work that way.
Instead, He whispers, "Look at Me, I'm here."
Don't worry, I don't think God speaks to me through my ears. It's more like a thought gently stamped in the mind. Lately, He's stamped. I'm Coming Back. If I could see the stamp, it would be in bright red letters.
I've heard that when a woman is about to get married losing weight to fit in the dress is often a part of the preparation. I've also heard this takes a lot of effort. But God gave me some good news. Fitting in to this dress is just a matter of letting it cover me moment by moment.
Then what's the problem. A bride's family and friends can easily see 50 pounds of fat. But she can always put a corsage over a couple stains in her dress. Character stains like fear and pride can be hidden long and well enough to get plenty of love from others. And Jesus’ dress may be too white for some of my friends to look at. They may refuse the wedding invitation and I want them all to come. So why not keep a little color. After all, God made roses yellow and red. But that's what sin does. It says no thanks I'll do things my own way. Or design my own dress.
But Jesus isn't just some fabulous but fallible fashion designer like Vera Wang . He is my fabulous and perfect creator. Although her dresses thousands of dollars, the one my Lord offers me is paid for with His life’s blood. All this before I ever thought about saying yes to His proposal. Or even loved Him at all. What a bargain. I get to exchange constricting yellow and red rags with holes in them for a sparkling flowing white dress. It may look on the outside like the dress Jesus gives me has one of those Victorian corsets. But if people could see how I struggle when I'm angry or scared. And how much freedom I feel when I put the white dress of Christ's character through prayer, Bible study and Bible meditation. They see the yellow and red rags of self have the corset.
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