I have grown to enjoy listening to podcasts over the last two years. It is one of my favourite past times, and I love that there are so many to choose from. One of my favourites is “ Lisa Harper’s Back Porch Theology”, hosted by Lisa Harper and Allison Allen.
I enjoy this podcast for its in-depth discussions on theological issues and the host's excellent use of storytelling to depict biblical truth. There was a podcast episode where Lisa opened with a story of a past dating experience with a gentleman. During this date, the gentleman purchased an expensive dress that was half her dress size and gave it to her as a gift.
He insisted that if she lost enough weight to put on that dress that maybe he would fall in love with her. As I listened to her sharing her story, memories of rejection filled my mind. I remember the tears slowly dripping from my tear duct and how my body shivered at these memories.
I remember going to work that same day, making light of her story, telling my co-workers about it in a very joking way. However, when all backs were turned, and everyone said their goodbyes, the reality hit me that this story meant more to me than I thought it did.
His proposal: the cross.
Before being a Christian, I was so withdrawn. I had this perception that no one would truly want to be friends with me if they knew who I was. That I needed to be who others wanted or needed me to be.
I hid, wanted to be seen and heard but was too afraid of the ramifications. This was funny considering that I enjoyed interacting with people. However, remaining hidden was easier than” putting myself out there” and being rejected.
Unlike typical love stories where the bride was worthy of both the groom’s and the audience’s attention, I wasn’t. I was most deserving of his wrath. Yet, he picked up my hand and proposed.
His proposal meant that he chose me. That while I hid, he was seeing me. While I was afraid of being rejected, he overcame rejection just so that he could propose to me.
It cannot be stressed enough how complete the redemptive work of the cross is. The forgiveness of man’s sins is the core of this work, but there are other ramifications which spread like a wild vine across a tropical rainforest. Words cannot express the empowerment one receives when one put their hope in this work.
Our sinfulness has brought us a lot of shame, whether we like to admit it or not. It has weakened our bones, uneased our hearts and lowered our heads. Even the most prideful of men bow to the oppressiveness of shame.
I thank God for rescuing me from the cobra’s pit. Jesus’ work on the cross offered me another way out. A way which removed shame’s stranglehold on my life.
As heartbreaking as it was, Lisa’s story didn’t end that night when she was rejected by that gentleman. A situation like that is potent enough to “T.K.O” anyone. It did Lisa for a while, but God, throughout those years, preserved her. She learned that she was a bride who was richly loved.
A different kind of love story.
As Christians, we are the bride of Christ ( Ephesians chapter 5 verse 25). We are the bride he redeemed, rescued and pardoned. We are his Ruth, Gomer and Shullahite.
Unlike the Disney princesses, we weren’t the purest, loyal or privileged in the room. Yet, he chose us to be his bride. I am most grateful that the title of that podcast episode was “A different kind of Love story”.
It's a type of love story where the groom knows that you cannot fit in a size four dress ( because you are a size eight), and is still madly in love with you. It's a kind of love story where the groom knows that your feet won’t fit in the glass slipper, yet he still chases you. This kind of love story makes us humble, gracious, kind, patient, gentle, forgiving and righteous.
It is the love story that we live as believers. No matter the shame and rejection of your past, you are a bride who is richly loved. So if you were once a; murderer rapist, paedophile, prostitute, drug and sex addict, thief, homosexual, transgender, or drunkard, let shame be moved off you. For your nakedness has been covered, your debts have been paid and your sins have been forgiven.
I believe that God’s will for us (me and you), is to live as though we are loved. To live as the bride who remains amazed by grace. To live as the bride who rests her hope in the finished work of the cross (the proposal). And, to live as the bride who will be ready for when her groom comes.