Set Apart
I love weddings. I am filled with such anticipation and excitement whenever we receive an invitation in the mail. My husband, however, has different feelings. Seconds after I announce that we’ve been invited to a wedding, Micah will ask, “How far away is it?” I, on the other hand, am not worried about the geographical location. I’m simply caught up in the awe and wonder of the glorious wedding day!
When I think about the weddings that we have been a part of as a bridesmaid, groomsman, guest, officiant and maid of honor, the joy and anticipation of the day does not change. I’m such a hopeless romantic. Give me a book written by Nicolas Sparks or a movie where the love story unfolds in the most predictable or unpredictable way- I don’t care. It can be a story of love conquers all or love finds a way. It doesn’t matter. Love is the driving force and it has a way of bringing people together.
As I think about weddings, there are so many details, decisions, and driving forces that make this celebration possible. As I reflect upon the traditions of the wedding day, there is an element of waiting for the bride. Before she arrives, everyone is in their positions: the guests are seated, the bridal party has gone down the aisle and the groom is standing at the front. Only one is set apart, and it is the bride. She is set apart until it is time to join her groom.
The bride has been preparing for her wedding day for so long. Her dress has been chosen and paid for. It’s beautiful. She gracefully slips on her shoes. The bride is ready to walk down the aisle, but until that time, she waits. Until that moment, she is set apart. She is ready, but she waits.
Why is the bride set apart? Why does the music change when the bride enters the room? There is a distinct sound that comes when it’s the time to receive the bride.
Revelation 19:6-9:
“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 God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
When it is time for the bride to walk down the aisle, there is a posture change. Attention is given, guests take notice, and the dynamic of the room is transformed. The bride has arrived. When I read these verses in Revelation, I am in awe and wonder of this day. This gives me hope that one day the bride (the church) will be ready. One day, she will be wearing fine linen, bright and clean as the Scripture says, dressed in righteousness. We will be invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!
We know the details, decisions and driving forces that come before a wedding day. Preparations just don’t happen on their own. There is not a magic wedding button that you can press and everything you dream about, hope for, and want automatically comes together (don’t you wish).
Each and every day there is intentionality. There are decisions made that prepare for the wedding day. There are driving forces that put things into motion to be able to make desires a reality. With every detail, the wedding comes together, but it takes effort, purpose, waiting, dedication, commitment, persistence and sacrifice.
This is very much like our position and responsibility as we wait and prepare each and every day for the second coming of Jesus.
Why does this element of the wedding - where the bride is set apart - matter?
The bride is set apart because the bride carries herself differently from the rest. The bride knows who she belongs to and waits patiently.
The Bible is clear about how we are to live our lives. We are to live differently from the standards of this world. We are to live according to God’s standards.
1 Peter 1:15-16 says:
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
The bride is holy, the bride is chosen, and the bride is set apart.
Deuteronomy 14:2
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”
I’ve had honest conversations with friends who correlate Bible verses (like the ones above) and the words, “set apart” to mean A BORING LIFE or FOMO.
Too many people have believed the lie that God’s standards of living are not enough to live a fulfilled life in this world.
Y'all, this is simply not the case! In fact, it cannot be more opposite. A life living according to God’s standards – set apart, creates such a longing and desire for MORE of His presence.
It’s not about what we can’t do, it’s more about what He CAN do.
Preparation becomes a desire, not something to check off the ‘To Do’ list.
It’s in the preparation that we become more and more ready. It’s not because we have to, it's because we want to. There is a wedding to attend.
Revelation 22:17:
“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”
You are chosen – You are treasured- You are loved.
-Bethany Marshall
