I went to two weddings this summer, weddings as different as the north and south, literally.  One was a genteel Florida country club wedding, overlooking a perfectly manicured golf course that smelled of freshly cut grass. The other was at a vineyard on Long Island, sophisticated and high-energy, and faintly smelling of fermenting wine and musty cellars.  The couples were on opposite polls, too. One could carry AARP cards if they chose; the other still held all-nighters with their college buddies. And yet as different as they were, the excitement, passion, and joy were constants.

And that got me to thinking about another kind of wedding, where the groom is invisible and the bride is a collective body, the body of Christ. And if we can compare the Church and Jesus to a bride and groom, so too can we compare their marriages. And this comparison can help us understand that peaks and valleys will occur in both.

I remember when I first came to the Lord.  Oh, the passion!  I wanted to tell everyone about Jesus.  And as a “newly wed” I eagerly extolled the virtues of my Beloved. I never tired of speaking about Him.  And because my love was a consuming flame, I tried to learn everything I could, what pleased Him, what didn’t.  I poured over the scriptures, prayed often, meditated on the Word, even rising early to do it. But that’s how it is when you’re in love.

Then one day I woke up and realized the honeymoon was over. It was gradual in coming.  In fact, I barely noticed it was happening at all. But I was spending less time in the Word. The things of this world had captured my time and heart. Busyness had set in.  Responsibilities and time constraints had stolen the fire.

Any marriage more than a few years old faces the struggle to balance job, responsibilities, and outside interests with that of maintaining a quality love relationship. And when too much world seeps in, when too much work or other pressures dampen the fire like a spewing garden hose, it’s time to rekindle it.  And the best lighter fluid is time. Oh, I know, this is nothing new or clever; just basic marriage 101. And though it may be basic, it’s not easy. Time is our one unrenewable commodity. We never seem to have enough of it.  But “seem” is the operative word here. Because the truth is we always make time for the things most important to us. And in this crazy, busy world, I need that reminder.  I need to remember that those things that are good can sometimes keep me from those that are best. After all, what’s more important than keeping the fires of love burning?

Until next week,

Sylvia Bambola

Nobody denies that we are in the middle of an economic mess. Bank failures, tumbling real estate markets and large layoffs drive the point home. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.  It’s a “trickle down” mess that’s affecting everyone, even the publishing industry. Nervous publishers are cutting back.  Suddenly, many of us writers find ourselves without a contract, and uncertain prospects. Perhaps some wonder if God is putting them on a shelf for a time. Or is He finished using them all together? Then again, maybe He’s orchestrating a career change? I’ve had all these thoughts.   

But I’ve also been thinking about other things too, things I so often take for granted:  family, friends, health, a roof over my head, food on the table. And though I know it sounds clichéd, I’ve begun thanking God, really thanking God, for all of them. There’s nothing like adversity or its threat to pare down the nonessentials, to force those normally iron legs of ours to bend at the knee before the will of God.

And I’ve begun thinking about something else, too; something I’ve heard a thousand times: This earth is not my home.  And it’s not yours either. Our sojourn here is but a blink of an eye when compared to all eternity.  And oh, how glad I am that God really is in control, that He really does love us, and has a plan and purpose for our lives no matter what situations or circumstances say. And if that’s true, if that’s really settled in our minds and hearts, then I think the question is, will we walk by faith or by sight?  Will we walk by what we see, allowing fear, frustration and disappointment to lead us?  Or will we lean on God’s word that says things like: we can do all things through Christ who strengths us; that He will never leave us or forsake us; that His grace is sufficient?

Our trials often seem so consuming, severe and painful, but will we remember them on the “other side” when we—the believers in Jesus—encounter the wondrous things that God has prepared for us?  I think so since the Bible does say God will wipe away all our tears.  But even so, I suspect what we’ll remember most is if we allowed these trials to draw us closer to God; if we allowed Him to be strong in our weakness.   

And that’s a sobering thought.

Until next time,

Sylvia