Going to the chapel and we're going to...

This will probably be the saddest blog post in the history of blog posts, but I do not have the capacity to think of anything other than weddings three weeks before my wedding.  

Let me be clear, I know there are other things going on in this world other than my and Zara’s wedding, but there is little other going on in our world than our wedding.  So for me to blog at this present moment means an inevitable wedding blog - I apologise in advance.

I guess amidst all the preparations that are being made, one of the ones I’m making a wee bit of an effort is preparing myself... I have put on so much weight since I first fitted my suit it’s untrue!  I think it coincides with the football starting, which is always a time for copious amounts of crisps and chinese food.  So to do my wee bit I’ve been trying the Special K diet.  Contrary to what Garvin Jess disparagingly suggests - I am not trying to get into some red bathing costume for the honeymoon,  I just want fit into my suit!!!!!  

The New Testament uses a great image of Jesus being the bridegroom and the Church being the bride... That our big day is the day He returns, and I think it’s worth asking - what spiritual shape are we in?  Have we become a bit lazy and lethargic, or are we trim and trained for his return??  Part of displaying my devotion to Zara is being willing to make the effort in this way, if Jesus arrived today would he find that with us?

In the following passage from Revelation, we read that Jesus expects his bride/Church to be ready:

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.  Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” Revelation 19:6-8

Secondly, I know this will absolutely sicken many of you, but I am (surprisingly for myself) really quite desperate to see Zara on the morning of the wedding day.  I normally much prefer people dressed down, then dressed up.  I think people nearly always look better in a Liverpool shirt and trackies than a  glamourous gown or whatever, but amidst everything I’m really, really looking forward to seeing Zara in white (or ivory, or pink...).  I’m also looking forward to exchanging this distant love affair (40 minutes in the car definitely qualifies as a long distance relationship) for the intimacy of living together.  I really can’t wait for that!!! I wonder do you long to see Jesus face to face?? One of my favourite worship songs is called “You’re Beautiful”, I’ve pasted a video at the bottom of this blog for you to check it out.  The songwriter has written some incredible lyrics that express his deep desire to be with Jesus in glory.  He first of all, talks about the beauty of Jesus that he experiences through creation, then on the cross, and then in heaven!!!  Have a meditative read at these lyrics:

I see you there hanging on a tree
You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me
Now you are sitting on Your heavenly throne
Soon we will be coming home
You’re beautiful, you're beautiful

When we arrive at eternity’s shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we’ll sing
You’re beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
 

I guess that the prominent message that God has been repeating to me over the past few weeks is about desiring him - sharing the sentiment of the Psalmist in his picture of longing for God like the thirsty deer panting for some water.  Are you that desperate to see Him???  To live is Jesus but to die would be gain, ie even closer to Jesus!!  Paul could say that because he was dying to see his Lord!!!

I am preparing for it, I can’t wait to see her, but finally there is pressure!! People keep on warning me that if I’m feeling relatively chilled-out right now, I definitely won’t be during the week before the wedding.  Such a build up to one day, that’ll be over as soon as it starts!  But things have to be attended to, details need to be checked, final touches need to be made, to ensure that everything is ready.  When I was a kid, I went along to a Bible club where we sang songs, learnt memory verses and played games.  One of the songs was called “The Countdown”, and it talked about how the countdown to Jesus returning was getting lower every day, and so people had to call upon their Saviour while they may.  The memory of this really challenged me tonight.  There’s nothing like a deadline to focus the mind, even to the worst procrastinator, and the 5th of July is definitely causing Zara and I to apply ourselves.  

We have a purpose on this earth defined in Colossians 1:28 “So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.”  This is my assignment.  The reason why we don’t ascend straight into Heaven the minute we say yes to Jesus.  We have a deadline.  Because if someone turns up to the wedding in old clothes rather than the wedding fashion of knowing Jesus, they’re gonna get kicked right out of the party.  We need to feel the urgency of this reality...

What a stupidly long blog! And probably a self indulgent one too!! Please enjoy the video below and feel free to comment.  

Have a great day!

Simon