As a Bride Beautifully Dressed For Her Husband

“The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!"

Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes,

let him take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17 

           Date nights are supposed to be a weekly occurrence at our home, but with 5 active kids, accomplishing a successful date night is like pulling off the presidential inauguration. Despite the frustrations, and inevitable delays, last Friday we actually pulled away for some rare and cherished alone time.

           In preparation for the date, I showered, primped, perfumed and otherwise dolled myself up, hoping to still be able to make my husbands head turn after 21 years of marriage. My eyes are to be only for my husband. But what if I did all my preparation so that every other guy in the restaurant would gawk instead? My gift to my husband would be contaminated by disloyalty.

           As Christ’s Bride we have this challenge ever before us. James cautions us to keep ourselves unspotted from the world and in Chapter 4:4 he pulls no punches saying it like this, “You are like unfaithful wives! Do you not know that being the world’s friend is being God’s enemy?” He goes on to tell us that the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, yearns over us with a jealous love. God desires all our hearts, yet we give Him bits and pieces. Do you only have eyes for your Beloved? Or do you look elsewhere to satisfy your longing soul? Only a pure, prepared, Bride will join the Holy Spirit, and say “COME Lord Jesus!”