A Different Perspective
Let me begin by saying that I am odd, and somewhat outlandish. I make no attempt to deny this, but rather accept it wholeheartedly. Here are some thoughts that were spurred by a conversation I had with a dear saint today, and have been running through my mind for quite a while. I'd say it's a "new" perspective, but it really isn't, rather an old perspective that has been buried over and muffled for the past few decades. It's about that crazy little thing called love.
I pray that the things I say are acceptable in the sight of my Savior, and are not taken as offensive, but rather as a source of encouragement to others who may think the same way I do. :-)
Now, love is not a feeling in your chest,
It is bending down to wash another’s feet.
It is faithful when the sun is in the west
And in the east.
It can hurt you as it holds you
In its overwhelming flood
Till only the unshakeable is left.
Love is not some diamond ring, it is not words of flattery, it is not feelings of excitement. It is not what glitters, what seems "wonderful", and it is not boastful. True love does not trample over people, it does not make others feel small, it does not exalt itself. It doesn't parade itself. And what do we see today? Especially, sadly enough, amongst followers of Christ? They find themselves enraptured, entralled, totally consumed with it. Weddings are about "the ring" (which I am so fond of because it reminds one of the commitment made, but it's just about how "big" it is now), the pictures (which should remind oneself of the covenants made, but instead are instant flashes into the internet to everyone who wants to know...and the people who don't, too :-)), "the dress" (which ought to be pure and modest, like Christ's bride, but instead are flamboyant and revealing), and just the whole event in general. And yet, I'm sure that at most of these good Christian weddings 1 Corinthians 13 will be read...Does not parade itself? Is not boastful? Doesn't insist on its own way?
Weddings are not marriages. Let's face it. Weddings are the first moment in a marriage, a sort of nice "prelude" to a marriage, but not the marriage itself. I realize that I am just ranting now, but what happened here? What happened to just 25 years ago, when my parents got married in a meager ceremony, helped by their nearest and dearest, my mom wearing a beautifully modest gown, and both my parents exchanging simple wedding bands (and no, there was no engagement ring *gasp*). What if we learned to be thankful again, for the simple things?
I am so sad over how the term is over-used nowadays, trampled on, never followed by any sort of commitment or faithfulness. It loses all of it's BANG, all of the beauty that it should entail. The proverbial "magic" is lost. (A slight reference here to a certain kind of "magic"...a longstanding inside joke between a friend and myself)I am by no means well versed in all of this, but when I look at what the Bible says, I see that I have been willfully deceived. Dissollusioned. And I see how I fall short.
Love is bending low. But more importantly, a relationship often doesn't start with feelings of love. It starts with respect and obedience. This is where I fall so very short. I'm a "go-getter". But this proves to be problematic in terms of relationships, because I am tempted (and much to my shame, I often do) to initiate. Rather than waiting on God's timing and realizing that I don't need a man to make me complete, I pursue it anyways. Wrong.If God ever chooses to give me a husband, it will be one who pursues me and who I will learn to respect and love, who will provide, protect, and lead. Is this not how God has shown His love toward us? He pursued us, demonstrated the depth of love He had by sacrifice, and He has "proposed". I have accepted His proposal, and am learning to love and respect Him, and while I am looking forward to that wedding day between Him and the Church, I do not have to wait until then to experience a wonderful relationship with Him. He provides for me, protects me, and leads me along.
"Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]." -1 Cor. 13:4-8a