Good morning.
It is a good morning.

Oh golly, this week. Where to begin.

I think I want to share something I've been thinking about for a while. I think it's time to just work it out in typeface.

There is a term in our culture that stirs up some quite strong reactions from most folks. Some are absolutely for it. Some are staunchly opposed. Some fear it, others fear the absence of it. Some churches take quite a stand on the issue. Some politicians, well the politicians seem to stay out of this one. What is the term you ask?

Singleness.

sin⋅gle
   /ˈsɪŋgəl/ –adjective
1. only one in number; one only; unique; sole: a single example.
2. unmarried: a single man.
3. pertaining to the unmarried state: the single life.

I know, I know you were expecting a term like gun control or abortion or civil rights. Nope, not today. Singleness it is. Take a listen at this quote from the recent hilarity of a film, Baby Mama.

Mom: "You know Kate everyone is not as tolerant of your alternative lifestyle as we are.
Kate: "Being single is not an alternative lifestyle."
Mom: "It is when you're 37."

The single lifestyle is certainly a hot topic concerning singles and married folks alike. Some who were wish they weren't and vice versa. Life is messy no matter what marital status you fill in on your tax return. Any way you look at it, I've been learning something that brings a bigger perspective to this lifestyle anomaly.

Jesus was single. Have you ever thought about that? I hadn't. Why is he single? Is it because marriage is bad or He liked His space? He wanted to have complete control of His own schedule and didn't want to bother with sharing His stuff with a mere female? Quite the contrary. He's waiting on His bride to be ready for Him. Who is His bride you may ask? This can get a little complicated, but to simplify the situation, the children of Israel, are His primary love interest. Gentiles, or believers that are not Jewish, are being grafted into the vine, brought into the picture. Keep in mind that because we don't fully understand, the analogies aren't 100% perfect, but they give us a place to start gaining perspective.

So, why is He waiting? Why not get married now?

There's a lot of reasons. One, He's gone to prepare a home for His bride. Two, He's giving her time to prepare to be with him, time to be purified and mature.

"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." -John 14:2-4

But what if she starts to doubt His return? What if He quits calling and she thinks, He's just not that into me? Jesus, like other good Hebrew man would have done, sends her gifts to assure her of His undying love. What gifts you may ask? The spiritual gifts are a reminder of the promise that Christ is returning. But spiritual gifts are a discussion for another day.

When will He come you ask? When this time is right.

The recent hit by Taylor Swift, Love Story, has some lyrics that bring a really cool picture to the return of Christ, the groom. Listen to the last verse. Just when she's doubting, when she thinks He'll never return...well, just listen.



And in Revelation 19, the wedding to come is described.

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
"Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God."

So friends, the wedding, the marriage, the pursuit of relationship is something that God has written on each of our hearts in that we would long for Him in a deep way. The whole process, no matter where you are in it yourself, is a picture of Christ's pursuit, preparation and union with His bride.

Love you friends. Have a beautiful Friday.