Mawwiage is What Bwings Us Togevaw Towday...

Gotta love the guy from Princess Bride.

Winter is nearly over, and spring is on its way. (Well, maybe after this next winter storm.) As such, marriage is in the air! The spring and summer weddings are just around the corner, and the brides are finishing up the many details of the ceremony, the reception, and of course, the wardrobe.

To be honest, this post was planned out around Thanksgiving, and I never got my rear in gear to type it out. I have, however, had the notes written out in my writing journal from Jered since November.

Marriage was already in the air then. My dear friends, Kelly and Jeremy, had just joined the ranks of engaged couples, and the excitement was tangible to all who know them. In my life personally, they joined my cousin, Kaylee, and her soon-to-be husband, Chad, and my long-time friend, Alaina, and her fiance, Nathan. It's a happy time for certain.

And let's be fair, many girls my age have marriage on the brain anyway. It's in ads everywhere from the radio and T.V., to Facebook. Not to mention the TIU-coined phrase, "Ring by spring" and the ever-popular MRS degree.

But in November, I was reintroduced to a different way of looking at marriage. Not a new way. I've heard this one since I was little. This time it ingrained itself in me, in a mind-blowing way. A marriage of which I'm already a part!

The marriage between Christ and the Church.

More specifically, the marriage between God and the Israelites in the desert. This is the new part to me. And let me tell you, it opened up a whooole new can of worms. If we are on the same line of thinking at all, hold on tight because this is wild.

Generally, I thought of the 40 years in the desert as a terrible time. I mean, come on... it's the desert. I'm all for sun and sand, but only if there's water involved too, and I don't think they were really enjoying a "fun in the sun" kind of time. But... turns out, this time was a courting period. Crazy, right? Over and over again, the Bible says that God led Israel into the desert like a bride. '"I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through the barren wilderness."' -Jeremiah 2:2

Remember how parents always said rules were made to keep us safe because they loved us? Not because they were trying to be mean and enforce their will on us? Ten Commandments... not so legalistic, but instead God's way of showing love. Not loving the parent/child picture? How about this: The Ten Commandments were an expression of vows between God and the Israelites. The commandments were copied down twice, ten on each tablet. Not five on each. One copy for God, one copy for His bride.

Not going for it yet? Try looking at them this way: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. You will have no other lovers aside from me. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Make time for me. I love you and want to spend time with you, to get to know you.

The other eight will fit too. Go ahead. Look into it.

Other physical evidence of a wedding at Sinai included the cloud covering, which symbolized the arch-like covering at Jewish weddings, and the cleansing ritual before a Jewish wedding. (God told Moses to have the Israelites cleanse themselves before the Ten Commandments were given.)

In true soap opera fashion, drama surfaced.

News bulletin: This just in! Bride engages in an affair at her own wedding!

Can you even imagine the pain the groom felt? He had spent so much time taking care of his bride-to-be. He rescued her from the Egyptians, guided her through the desert, provided for her in her time of need, and had a place prepared for her to live.

Somehow, in a way only He can, God forgave His wayward bride. And there was still dancing as the Ten Commandments were read because God was saying, "I love you!" He continued, and still continues to pursue a bride who doesn't always love Him back. "'But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.'" -Hosea 2:14

How do we say "I do"? How did Jesus teach it?

By loving the Lord, your God with all your soul, your heart, and your mind. And by loving your neighbor as your self.

***

So, five days later, I'm arriving at my point. If you've stuck it out this long, I promise we're almost done.

I can't imagine being unfaithful to a husband. So how can I be unfaithful to my God every single day? I don't try to be, but I am. I get tired and go to bed, or sit and watch T.V., or find something more exciting to do. All I can do is try to show Him love in everything, to tell Him, "I do!" And the worst part, or maybe best part, is that He is a partner who will never, ever stop pursuing me, no matter how unfaithful and unloving I am.

Wow.

And that is why I can still dance and sing for the love my God has for me.


*All Biblical analyses came from That the World May Know - 6 Faith Lessons by Ray Vanderlaan.