I recently attended Jean and Donnie (my ex cell members) wedding last week and I must say it was one of the most touching weddings that I have ever attended.
Everything from the decor to the food to the company was just so sweet and fitting for a celebration of 2 hearts that have decided to embark on a journey of life together.
As the bride, Jean, gave her thank you speech at the end of the wedding, I could sense from her emotions that this wedding took much sacrifice. It is also took much love and care from friends and family. Most notably, she thanked her husband , relatives, friends and Church friends from both her previous Church and the Church she is attending now with her husband.
Even though its been a while since she was with City Harvest, the impact and ties are still there. Through her speech, I could really still sense a deep rooted bond. A connection that could only be built by lots of genuine love, care, concern and companionship.
This is what coming together as a Church should be all about. Just like marriage, it shouldn't just be about receiving and finding out how the Church can meet our needs. Rather, it should be about sharing lives together and looking out for one another not because of what you can gain by it, but because these friends mean the world to you. There is a connection, there is a bond.
If we look at the symbol of engagement, we would be reminded of the engagement ring. Now for guys, it is only fitting that this ring has to have VALUE in it. After all it symbolizes the value of how much we are willing to share life together with our other halves. To share dreams and visions, through thick and thin, sickness and health. Doing all this, despite the sacrifices, because we know its worth it and it will bring us happiness and joy.
In the Bible, God refers to Jesus as the groom, and the Church as His bride.
Eph 5:25, 'Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her.
Firstly, we must understand that just like how a finance thinks the girl of his dreams is worth it, Jesus definitely thinks that we are worth it. He most certainly thinks that you are worthy to share life together with Him. Just like how a man first courts a lady, the Bible says in 1 John 4 :19
"We love because He first loved us"
Now whats the symbol of Jesus's love for us ? Well, His engagement ring is more valuable than a diamond ring that is 9999 carats. In fact this rock is so big that it is Himself. This is the great exchange. Christ Himself is the solid rock on whom we shall stand and have a strong foundation upon. He gave Himself on the cross so that we may be able to be reunited back with God. He died on the cross so that we may have a relationship with God. One that is so close, that we can actually rely on Him for everything that we need in life!
When we first accepted this gift of Himself, we were so overwhelmed by His love. He gave us miracles , blessings and took care of everything we ever needed. Just like a newly wed doing the honeymoon period, everything seems so sweet.
However, after the sweetness of the initial stages, comes the stage of true commitment. This is when you find that sacrifices have to be made. This is where couples discuss on their plans for the future, and as they find out more about each other, they have to learn how to be accommodating and how to never forget why they got married. The reason of which was to build life together, and this journey takes alot of hard work.
Similarly, after the initial stages of salvation, You are going to find that becoming a Christian isn't such a smooth bed of roses after all. You have to be committed to prayer, fasting, reading the word , fellowship , giving and caring for one another. Sometimes it may even come to a point where we stop going to cell groups, or when we decide that I'm only interested in my self benefit. Others have let me down, why should I get involved? as long as I'm going to heaven its fine. I know that I love God and I know that He loves me. End of story.
Friends, Jesus never meant for it to be this way with us. He told Peter in John 21:15 - 17
"When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
You see, for Jesus to repeat the same thing 3 times, it must have been very important, and indeed it us. Feed my sheep, take care of my sheep, feed my sheep. It is clear that Jesus wants us to build lives. To care for one another. To build relationships. To cultivate discipleship. To give and build the Church so that lives can be built! The Kingdom of God is all about relationships!
In another example, let's look at John 13:14 - 15
"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you"
Again, Jesus gave an example that we should serve and care for one another. That's what the Kingdom is all about, building and sharing lives so that we can encourage and edify one another. In doing so , we can build a community of believers and do mighty things for the glory of God! Since we made the decision to follow Jesus as Christians when we accepted His "Rock", shouldn't we also follow His visions and dreams to build the Church? A community of believers so that the Kingdom of God can be glorified.
Now isn't this what marriage is all about. We don't get married for fulfill our desire to get married. We get married to share and build lives together. It may be difficult at first and yes there will be arguments and disagreements. But if we hold on to our commitment, and learn with perseverance, then it's all going to be worth it because when you look back, you realize that the experience has made you a more mature, happy, joyful and blessed person, and you have learned to love just as Christ loved the Church! After all, most of us would rather be married than be single!
Thanks and God Bless!
Daniel Foo
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