hesitant

I had an uncomfortable experience at a wedding recently. Everything was going along as planned until it came time for the minister to ask that all-important question of the bride, "Do you take so-and-so to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Just then, for some unknown reason, there was an incredibly long and unbelievably awkward silence. No one, at the time, knew for sure if the bride had just zoned out for a moment, or if she was actually contemplating how she wanted to answer. I certainly hope it was the former, but not being a close friend, I never found out.

No groom deserves to have a hesitant bride on his wedding day.

This incident made me think of how the Church is the Bride of Christ, and how we can be reluctant in committing ourselves to Him. Just as it would crush a groom for his bride to have second thoughts about her commitment, it must be so disappointing to Jesus when we hesitate in our commitments to Him.

The good news, however, is that He doesn't turn and walk away. He waits patiently - however long and awkward our pause might be - always remaining at the altar, always waiting for us to say, "I do."

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself" (Revelation 19:7, NLT). 

-thomas bevers