In the midst of the dishes and the black bean patties and sweeping the floor for the sixteenth time today, I forget.
I get caught up in the here and now, and though there’s a Voice calling my name to look at Him, I get distracted by the next call for more crackers or more volunteering or more bikini looks or more deposits in the bank.
It’s easy to get distracted because we feel like we’re left by ourselves to try to get it together.
I know I do.
Don’t you? Sometimes feel like it’s just you pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, trying to catch up on the Bible reading plan, trying to keep your cool in traffic, trying to be all spiritual discipliney so you can be more holy? And then somewhere deep inside wondering why you’re even trying so hard?
It’s easy to feel alone in this pursuit of abiding in Christ. But sister, hear the Truth of Jesus and breathe it deeply:
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:18
He has not left us; He has given us a Helper who will “abide with [us] forever” (as He promised right before that verse. Look it up. The entire passage is one that will bathe you in reassurance and peace.)
So Jesus didn’t just leave us; He gave us Someone who abides in us so we can abide in Him. While we wait. Because the beautiful story doesn’t end with Jesus’ ascension 2,000 years ago.
Jesus is coming back for us.
And this is where I get goosebumps and the hopeless romantic in me can’t help but be overwhelmed with joyful tears:
This is the story of the Son of God hanging on a cross for me
And it ends with a bride and Groom and a wedding by a glassy sea
This is the story of a bride in white waiting on her wedding day
Anticipation welling up inside while her Groom is crowned a King.
Oh death, where is your sting? Cause we’ll be there singing
Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy is the Lord!
~Holy (Wedding Day), by The City Harmonic
Dear ones, see what great love God has for us, that He would call us His very own. And Jesus is coming back soon (very very SOON!) to sweep His bride off her feet and carry her into the home He built for her.
He has not left us to do hard life on our own. His Spirit is living in us, comforting us, encouraging us, moving us forward on days we feel like we can’t even get out of bed. Because He is propelling us toward that fairy tale ending that is our wedding day with Jesus Christ by the glassy sea.
And that is the reality of abiding in Jesus, sweet friends. That is the future that awaits us.
May this truth warm your heart today as you go about your busy day, a smile on your lips and a song in your heart as you await your beloved groom’s return.
Day 31 Challenge: Listen to The City Harmonic’s Holy (Wedding Day) and celebrate the wedding that is awaiting all of us who love Him.
Oh Father, I’m so excited I can’t even wait!!! Thank You for the promise of a beautiful ending to this story. It blows my mind that You would want to spend eternity with a broken sinner like me. Thank You for Jesus, for His sacrifice, for His grace, and for His Spirit who is here with me while I wait for His return. Thank You. I love You.
This is the 31st post in the 31-day series, “Abiding in Christ–when reading the Bible isn’t an option.” Check out all the posts here.