Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: WAIT (05/21/20)
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TITLE: The Betrothal | Previous Challenge Entry
By Linda Lawrence
05/27/20 -
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Bambi and I are as different as oil and water and yet her deep frustration and longing for the love of a husband made me think about my own frustration and longing to be more than the betrothed Bride of Christ. She wants the touch and the warmth of a flesh and blood husband. I want the fulfilled reality of the promised marriage to the Lover of my soul.
Bambi isn’t comforted by our betrothal to the Lord. She wants literal arms holding her—not the metaphorical arms of the Lord. Metaphor and allegory are beyond her understanding. Her mental illness and disabilities keep her from seeing and hearing many spiritual realities. She can believe Jesus died to pay for her sins, but that is as much comfort from God she seems able to receive.
We both struggle with impatience. Since we are never going to be perfect until we see Jesus face-to-face, I hear myself whine and question the necessity of the long process of being made holy. Bambi’s ongoing complaint against God is that He won’t give an answer to why some people get the gift of a loving family here on earth, now, and she doesn’t. Jesus has given me compassionate love for her. She’s appreciative—but it’s not enough. She wants oneness with a man. I understand.
My own frustration revolves around the long wait between the Father drawing me to His Son, His giving me His Spirit as a promise ring, and the actual Wedding Supper. Everything in me cries, “Come, oh come Lord Jesus—now!” Bambi is not even interested in this somewhat abstract concept. But there is comfort for me in waiting for the promised reality.
My hope is that for both of us, the wait will soon come to an end. But Bambi has no hope—only anger. She is weary of waiting. I pray for Jesus to satisfy her longing with Himself, but my faith in her willingness and ability to be satisfied with Jesus’ love is shaky.
My spirit groans, longing for the day our wait is over and we stand before Jesus in the beauty of holiness, having been perfected by the Spirit into His beloved Bride. Even Bambi will be drawn into the joy of being one with all those who make up His Bride—when that day finally arrives. It’s more than either of us can comprehend now but we will have all of eternity to revel in the joy of loving and being loved by our Bridegroom, the Son of Man and Son of God.
Ephesians 1:14; 5:21-33; Revelation 19:6-9; 22:17-21
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