"And it ends with a bride and a groom and a wedding by a glassy sea"
First of all, I just want to make it clear that no, this article is not about marriage in any way. I would have to say that I am highly unqualified to write on that topic. The title of this article are lyrics from my absolute favorite worship song. A song that made me tear up when I first heard it, and gives me chills every other time I listen.
“This is the story of the Son of God
Hanging on the cross for me
And it ends with a bride and groom
And a wedding by a glassy sea”
If you know me well at all you might be shocked that I like this song. It is quite different from the usual music that I listen to, but this song is special. This song gave me hope during one of the hardest seasons of my life.
“Do you think Jesus still loves me?”
I still vividly remember calling my sweet dad at 3:30 am one night after I had been out with friends. I called him crying, and I asked him, “Do you think Jesus still loves me?” I remember crying that night and telling myself something had to change. The previous months of anxiety, feelings of emptiness and frantically searching everywhere on this earth for my self worth just became too much for me to handle.
It was that same night that I stumbled across the song I referenced above (Holy Wedding Day by the City Harmonic). I personally believe the music video is what makes this song so impactful. It depicts a woman coming across a tree with pictures nailed all over it. The pictures are of her insecurities, deepest pains, mistakes and sins. Then Jesus Christ comes alongside her, and cuts down the tree, and transforms it into the cross.
Rescued. That is the word that came to mind that night.
Jesus Christ is restoring everything that had been lost.
Now, I would love to say that after months of internal struggles, I was reminded of the love of Jesus, and then I was completely fine by the next morning. As you and I both know, that is far from how things work. Jesus wants to heal us, but he desires something even more. He desires a close and intimate relationship with us.
You see, I believe beautiful things can come out of our deepest pains.
Healing after a hard season of life was such a precious time for me.
My mom gave me this journal as a graduation present. I bet she had no idea how impactful this small gift was going to be.
I had the opportunity to stay at Berry for a few weeks after graduation. My close friends were all gone, and I used the entirety of those days to grow in my relationship with Jesus. Each morning I would journal and reflect on one of the bible verses on my journal. Every day I was reminded of the truth instead of the lies I had been believing for so long.
Jesus used those precious weeks to restore all that had been lost in my heart. He reminded me of the hope and comfort found in him. The world is so quick to encourage sin but also the shame that comes with it.
Shame is not something that comes from God. God provides hope, forgiveness and a new beginning.
I know my struggles may be different from those around me, but that is one thing I am confident we all have in common. Each of us have struggles in life, they may be vastly different, but that is part of living in a broken world.
I believe that the most beautiful part of Christianity is the true hope, peace and comfort only found through a relationship with Jesus. Sure, there are many things around that may provide that temporary fun or happiness, but it fades; and when it fades, it usually leaves you worse off than when it found you.
I believe the most beautiful stories end with “ but, Jesus…”
Everyone on this earth goes through pain and hardships. I believe these situations are not in vain. How powerful it is to say, I struggled with _______, but Jesus saved me, or gave me hope, or gave me purpose.
Imagine how impactful it could be to share your story with someone else going through a similar struggle. Sharing your personal story allows others to know they are not alone in their struggles, and there is hope through Jesus.
How life changing that could be.
I don’t think we have to be afraid of rock bottom, it was rock bottom that God used to make me find Heaven. It was in my lowest place that I found paradise.
(Shannon Hardy)
John 1:5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8YMn_7lFu8
