Holy Matrimony

Scripture: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13

Many of you do not know me or my story, but I am a 31 year old single girl who has waited a very long time for God’s provision in a husband. Now I stand on the brink of stepping into that blessed covenant we call marriage with the man God has chosen for me. While this is a joyous occasion, any who have planned a wedding know it can be a most stressful time leading up to the big day. Tensions run high between family members and bride and groom as the Refiner’s fire purges those idols that have long lain, unbeknownst to us, in our hearts. It’s a strange time of many mixed and extreme emotions and is made even more poignant in my situation by the fact that I am marrying an English gentleman to settle in his native land. Planning a wedding in itself is stressful, but meshing two different cultures adds a whole new level of compromise and tension and joy and celebration. Needless to say, this process has been one of much growth and discovery seasoned by many trials.

What has become clear to me through this process is that just because we are following God and obeying him, we are not guaranteed a life of ease and bliss. Things are not going to go just as we imagined them in our minds or just as we have dreamt they would be. I think I had been mislead to believe that if I followed God and walked in obedience that things would be as I desired. I believed this was what Christians called being “blessed”. However, if we read in the Bible, we see that being blessed does not always equate happiness and ease in life. One quick read through of the Sermon on the Mount shoots down that idea. Jesus himself says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven….blessed are those who mourn….blessed are those who are persecuted….blessed is you when people insult you….” (Matthew 5:3-11). You call that being blessed???!!! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to be the ultimate pessimist or cynic by sharing all of this. I’m just seeking to establish within myself a Biblical perspective on my life and a true understanding of what it means to be blessed.

I recently was reminded of a verse that is quite familiar to me but, for whatever reason, hit me from a different angle the other day. It’s 1 Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” What hit me was the line “…think it not strange.” I have noticed in myself lately that when something doesn’t go as planned or hoped, my initial response is one of surprise. I find myself asking the question, “Why is this happening to me? I’ve been obedient in seeking and following God’s will! Why would this be going wrong?” I think it strange that I’m experiencing a fiery trial. Who wouldn’t have the same reaction? All of us probably often have similar responses in the midst of a trial. Our initial reaction is to ask why and think it strange.

I was meditating on all of this on my way in to work the other morning, which takes me on a route through a national forest. I was noticing the trees along the way and how they have burn marks half way up their trunks, and I remembered that near this time every year they conduct prescribed burns throughout the forest. I generally expect to see fire and smell smoke on my commutes to and from work every year in early spring. I do not think it strange when I come upon that in the forest, as one might expect me to, because I know that this is the season assigned for prescribed burnings. However, one might be surprised to come across such a scene and be alarmed if they were not aware of the particular season and that there are forestry agents nearby supervising the entire process. I wonder how many phone calls 911 receives that time of year from alarmed motorists in the forest?!

Doesn’t this paint a startling picture for us, though? As believers, we have been “prescribed” fiery trials. We mustn’t think it strange when we experience them. In fact, the Bible commands us to rejoice in them! We should actually feel honored because we are partakers in Christ’s sufferings! As 2 Corinthians 4:10-11 says, “[we are] always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” This is exciting news! When we face these fiery trials, it is to make manifest the life of Jesus in our bodies! Our ultimate end and joy is not found in everything working out according to plan but in the life of Jesus being revealed in our hearts.

A beautiful wedding is much to be desired, but a beautiful Bride of Christ is so much more! I’m sure that my wedding day will be one of celebration and joy and, more importantly, blessed by God. And that blessing, whatever form it may come in, is what my heart longs for more than anything.

Micki Creasman
Clinton, SC

Prayer: Great Bridegroom, Help us realize the trials we are facing are simply grooming us for the great wedding day in which you will return to bring us home with you! Help us to allow these trials to make us beautiful in your sight. AMEN

Prayer Tip: Visualize your self standing before God dressed for a wedding. Imagine how He looks at you in all your wedding day frock. He loves you much more than any mere mortal can.