I see Christ's coming to this earth those many centuries ago through a different set of lenses, as I wait for the next two weeks to pass as they have every year before this one. He is about to be revealed as I have not had the chance to in those previous seasons. He is about to teach me how much He really does love me, as Mr. loves me in proxy for Him on this earth. Mr. is to love me as Christ loves the church, as the Bridegroom loves the Bride. He is about to vow what Christ did when He appeared and changed the journey of mankind. Mr. is about to do for me what Christ did for us all - give love like blood and bone and breath.
"Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as
[a service] to the Lord.
23 For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the
Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body.
24 As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be
subject in everything to their husbands.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church
and gave Himself up for her,
26 So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by
the washing of water with the Word,
27 That He might present the church to Himself in glorious
splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and
faultless].
28 Even so husbands should love their wives as [being in a
sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.
29 For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes
and carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the
church,
30 Because we are members (parts) of His body." (Amplified Version)
That is a tremendous job, a deeper call than any other. Much more purposeful than even I first realized. I truly can submit to the authority of one that is supposed to love me in such a soul-enriching, spirit-life loving way because that is what I have wanted from the beginning of time. That is the only thing that has kept me waiting all this time.
And me? What is my job in two weeks?
To be that bride and that wife, the one loved and cared for - the one that makes Proverbs 31:10-31 come alive in Mr.'s life. It does not seem like much of a transfer of responsibility as a response to vows spoken, but as I submit to the commitment, this is me, this must be me (even when life spirals on in the way that it does):
" A capable, intelligent, and [a]virtuous woman—who is
he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value
is far above rubies or pearls.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently
and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of
[honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.
12 She comforts, encourages, and does him only good
as long as there is life within her.
13 She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands
[to develop it].
14 She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs;
she brings her household’s food from a far [country].
15 She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual]
food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.
16 She considers a [new] field before she buys or
accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties
by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants
fruitful vines in her vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and
physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and
firm.
18 She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with
and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through
the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and
distrust].
19 She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold
the distaff.
20 She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her
filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].
21 She fears not the snow for her family, for all her
household are doubly clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and
rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple
[such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of
the temple were made].
23 Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates, when he sits
among the elders of the land.
24 She makes fine linen garments and leads others to
buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free one up for
service].
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing and her
position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or
time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for
it]!
26 She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on
her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].
27 She looks well to how things go in her household, and
the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy,
fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her,
[saying],
29 [b]Many daughters have
done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is
steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.
30 Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain
[because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully
fears the Lord, she shall be praised!
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own
works praise her in the gates [of the city]!" (Amplified Version).
It may seem like such a big job but I have been through much to get me to this place. It was all worth it - the pain, rejection, heartache to exemplify love on such a deeply gratifying manner...
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