I was “the father of the bride” – and my wife and Shari’s attendants were fluttering over her like a bunch of “mother hens” … the tension was palpable! Shari had to look just right for Tim, the groom! It was too much for me – I had to get out of there!
I went over to the “guys side” – there was banter and lighthearted joking, but you could tell the groom was more serious… He was nervous – he looked in the mirror more than once, straightened his tie, and anxiously looked at his watch!
Big event – Shari Bartel was about to become Shari Bartel Dresselhaus! Tim was waiting for that special moment when he would see Shari for the first time on their wedding day… Shari wanted it to be perfect – she wanted to look her beautiful best. Tim wanted to be his best for his bride! Both of them had waited for this moment!
The music began… Shari came down the isle… I can’t tell you Tim’s emotions (his face registered incredible pleasure!) – but I, the bride’s father can tell you mine… WOW! WOW!! I mean WOW!!!
And this picture (and these emotions) came to mind during my Bible reading today (I think you’ll see why)…
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord! My soul shall exult in my God! For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels!” (From Isaiah 61:10)
Just let me say, the Lord incredibly beautifies us with His salvation! His righteousness prepares us for that special moment when we are presented, along with all others who have been transformed by his grace, into “the bride of Christ” (“without spot or wrinkle”)! I believe, on that day, He will look upon us (transformed sinners “saved by grace”) with rapturous joy and feel what I felt on Shari’s wedding day… WOW! WOW!! WOW!!!
The point? When we experience salvation, the ugliness of sin is replaced by the “makeover” of Christ’s righteousness – what was “ordinary” becomes “heavenly”!! The Bible puts it this way in another location: “For our sake He (God, the Father) made Him (Christ Jesus) to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5.21)
I want to be ready for that day… No, more than that, I want to live ready for that day!
Coffee With The Lord 