Post-Ceremony Reflections Over a Meat-Lover's Scramble at Denny's

The goal and utmost desire was a Christ-exalting ceremony, one that clearly displayed the glorious relationship Christ has to His Church. As the bridesmaids lined up in the parlor with me standing around the corner in the bridal suite, I heard the music begin, "I have come with one purpose to capture for Myself a bride. By My life she is lovely, and by My death she's justified." I began to cry for the first time that day, and remember thinking, "This is it, this is the moment." As I entered into the radiant sanctuary, the instrumental music to "Amazing Grace" resonated in such a way that did more than tickle the ears of myself and the witnesses present. My tears by then were wiped away, and my eyes were fixed on one person - my groom. I can only attempt to describe in my limited words the experience of living such a vision and dream. I have dreamed of my wedding day for many years, and I have had a deep longing for the ceremony to be one wherein Christ was present and displayed as the sweet and satisfying Savior that He is.

My husband and I had a late dinner with one of the groomsmen last night at Denny's. As we were inhaling our omelettes and meat lovers healthy food, our friend told us that he used our ceremony in a recent sermon illustration. He described hearing our music selections for the ceremony at the rehearsal and wondering why we chose "Amazing Grace" for the processional. It's nice and it's a classic, but why that particular song? He told us that he didn't get it until the doors opened at the ceremony and I entered into the room to the majestic melody. What makes the bride pure, spotless, and dressed in a white gown? The righteousness of Christ which is the amazing grace lavished upon His bride.

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of
many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying
out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty
reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage
of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her
to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"— for the fine
linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. ~Revelation 19:6-8

As with any wedding I have previously attended, there were compliments galore about everything from the flowers to the dresses to the music, but those all fade into the background when we heard such comments as, "That was the most selfless ceremony I have ever seen," and others which were similar. If witnesses saw Christ at the center of every detail, then our goal was accomplished. If those unbelieving attenders saw that our primary concern was reflecting Christ's relationship to His Church, both now and in the day yet to come, then our hearts were fully satisfied.

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And
let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life
without price. . . . He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming
soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! ~Revelation 22: 17, 20