Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: BRIDE (02/25/21)
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TITLE: God's Master Plan for Matrimony | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gerald Shuler
03/03/21 -
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The statement was harsh, blunt, coming from nowhere and landing right in the middle of my entire world. Married?
“When... how? Who's the lucky lady?”
“I've narrowed it to two or three. I'll take whoever says yes first. It doesn't matter which one it ends up being.”
He said it coldly. It doesn't matter? Where in the world had he come up with that misnomer? He had been raised better... or, at least, so I thought.
“Marriage is a lifetime commitment. It matters. How can you say...?
“Times have changed, Dad. Marriage is just a piece of paper that is no more binding than the paper that says you are divorced when it doesn't work out.”
I heard a gasp from behind me. Carla, my wife, had entered the room. She was visibly shaken by what she had overheard. Mark's belief about marriage went directly against everything he had been taught. Now he would have to face her. I almost felt sorry for him. I sat back to just listen. 'Lord,' I prayed silently, 'give her the words and the wisdom to teach Mark what he needs to know.'
“Mark,” Carla said quietly. She seemed totally composed. “Do you know what marriage is really all about?”
“Really, Mom? I'm old enough to get married. What's the big deal?”
Carla smiled a surprisingly genuine smile. She reached out, softly touching the bible on our coffee table.
“Did you know God has a holy camera.” She smiled again at the confusion in our son's eyes. “He takes pictures to help us understand His ways.”
“A holy camera, Mom?” Mark was truly lost in where this conversation was headed. “Why would God need a camera?”
“To show us a picture of how things really are in life. Close your eyes and imagine God with His camera.” Mark closed his eyes obediently. “Now, God wants to take a picture that will teach us about His love for us. What picture would he take?”
“I suppose it would be Jesus on the cross.” Mark sounded certain about his answer.
“That would be a good picture of love, but there is an even better one that He would choose.”
The long silence was almost amusing as Mark struggled to find a better example than Christ dying for our sins. What could show God's love more than that picture?
“Christ's sacrifice paid the price for all of us to be set free, but Mark,” Carla actually had a tear slipping down her cheek. “What if you chose to not believe that Christ is the only way? What if you chose to believe the lies the world feeds us about other ways... other gods?”
“What does that have to do with getting married?”
“God took His holy camera and pointed it at the only thing that would show how he felt about His fallen creation. He took a picture of a groom and a bride, giving their vows at their wedding ceremony.”
More confusion filled Mark's eyes.
“Mark, God wants marriage to be an example of his relationship with us. The groom chooses his bride carefully, based on his commitment to her... his lifetime commitment. God was careful when He chose to commit to us and we need to be just as careful in our commitment to Him.”
“I don't see the connection, Mom.”
“Let me ask you a question.” Mark braced himself. “If you were the bride of Christ, would it be only on a trial basis? Would you be willing to get a divorce if your marriage didn't meet your expectations?”
“You are talking about Jesus. I would NEVER reject Him.”
“Then why would you consider taking a bride that you would abandon at a whim? Shouldn't the picture God took with His holy camera teach us how important His marriage to us really is? If you can't be committed to a lifetime of marriage to one woman, then why would you think you will stay faithful in your marriage to God?”
Mark sat back and held his forehead. “Wow, Mom. I'm never going to get that holy picture out of my mind.”
Carla smiled again. “I'm glad to hear that. Now, I just came in to tell you guys that lunch is ready.”
I prayed another silent prayer. 'Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful bride you have given me.'
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