Radiant
“Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.” Ps 34:5 (emphasis added)
The Glow
Basked in the candlelight, the sanctuary is perfectly decorated and filled with friends and family who have come to celebrate the joyous union. Amidst the sweet aroma of peonies, gardenias, and lilies, the old familiar sound of Mozart’s “Wedding March” is heard. On perfect cue, the church doors creak open, and the guests know the moment they have been waiting for has arrived.
A hush falls.
Like a trained marching band that pivots in unison, the wedding guests, following the lead of the bride’s mother, stand, turn, watch—waiting for their first glimpse of the bride.
Speaking of waiting, from the very first time she heard Cinderella’s tale of “happily ever after,” the bride began to long for this moment. She just knew that one day her prince would come, sweep her off her feet, and tell her that she is “the one” with whom he wants to spend the rest of his life. One day she would be picked. Even when it wasn’t cool and when she wouldn’t dare confess her heart’s true desire out loud…still, she hoped.
I believe every little girl rehearse her own version of her fairy tale moment—that moment when she falls head over heels in love with the man of her dreams. Some keep scrapbooks, and others keep their desires hidden deep in their hearts. Always hoping for “her” day. There is something magical about a wedding that literally captivates the heart of a girl, causing a love affair of the imagination with the idea that one day she will be the bride.
For this bride, her time is now. With her arm tucked securely in the nook of her father’s and with her heart beating wildly, she steps forward as the church doors open and she is finally revealed. Hundreds of prayers on her knees that led to his bended knee.
Yet It is not the dress that takes everyone’s breathe away; it is her face…for she is radiant. Her beauty on this day emanates from a source deep within her soul. She is not beautiful because of a makeup artists tricks or a hairstylist’s skills. No, there is a different quality today, something that is impossible to contain. Her radiance comes from one thing: basking in the glow of love.
Brides are most often described as radiant for a very good reason. It is universally acknowledged that a women is most beautiful when she is “in love.” Her outer expression and countenance emanates from an inner reality. She knows she is loved, and she is head over heels “in love” with her groom. That, my friends, is radiance.
Recall the moment when the beautiful, radiant bride is revealed. She stands before her groom and their eyes meet. Can you see her? Gloriously radiant…girls, the same proves true for us, the Bride of Christ. The motivation to live pure and holy lives come from our love for Jesus.
Have you ever seen a couple in love and thought to yourself, one of two things: “Get a room!” or “I want that.” Lets’ go with the “I want that” thought shall we… haha. It is wedding season in the life of many of my friends, I feel like the last year has been a never ending cycle of weddings. In the words of Loreli Gilmore “Do we like this many people?” I couldn’t be more happy for all my friends, but one of my favorite parts about weddings is seeing the looks of the brides faces at they walk down the ails to their grooms. I am always one to look at the grooms face first; especially if the groom is one of my friends, I always want to see them cry! But I also look at the bride as they enter the sanctuary. Of course, she looks beautiful, but when her eyes lock on her groom, her countenance transforms from simply beautiful to radiant in a single glance. As I witness this I have more than once heard my heart whisper, “I want that.”
I think that is what our love for Jesus is meant to cause in the life of others. When others encounter us, see our love for Jesus, witness the transforming power of His love in us, they will say, “I want that.”
God created us to reflect His glorious light to the world. Just as a bride’s face reflects the love of her groom, a follower of Jesus reflects Him to the world. The radiance God intends for us is the inner glow of a women who is redeemed. Forgiven from sin. Loved by God. Filled by His light. She understands that the God of the universe picked her to be His own. Shes' already living the ultimate fairy tale. She knows she’s the princess rescued by the prince, chosen and transformed by His love. She is madly in love with Jesus and basks in the glow of His love for her. This relationship is so transforming that the world is able to see it—because she is aglow. This my friends is true radiance.
Just as I’ve looked at my friends on their wedding days and longed for the radiance I saw in them, we are created so that when the world looks at us, they see God’s love reflected on our face, and say, “I want that.” Girls, it’s time we locked eyes with our heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, and show the world the radiant glow that results from His love.
“Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.” Ps 34:5 (emphasis added)
Sources:
("Radiant" by Marian Jordan)
their faces are never covered with shame.” Ps 34:5 (emphasis added)
The Glow
Basked in the candlelight, the sanctuary is perfectly decorated and filled with friends and family who have come to celebrate the joyous union. Amidst the sweet aroma of peonies, gardenias, and lilies, the old familiar sound of Mozart’s “Wedding March” is heard. On perfect cue, the church doors creak open, and the guests know the moment they have been waiting for has arrived.
A hush falls.
Like a trained marching band that pivots in unison, the wedding guests, following the lead of the bride’s mother, stand, turn, watch—waiting for their first glimpse of the bride.
Speaking of waiting, from the very first time she heard Cinderella’s tale of “happily ever after,” the bride began to long for this moment. She just knew that one day her prince would come, sweep her off her feet, and tell her that she is “the one” with whom he wants to spend the rest of his life. One day she would be picked. Even when it wasn’t cool and when she wouldn’t dare confess her heart’s true desire out loud…still, she hoped.
I believe every little girl rehearse her own version of her fairy tale moment—that moment when she falls head over heels in love with the man of her dreams. Some keep scrapbooks, and others keep their desires hidden deep in their hearts. Always hoping for “her” day. There is something magical about a wedding that literally captivates the heart of a girl, causing a love affair of the imagination with the idea that one day she will be the bride.
For this bride, her time is now. With her arm tucked securely in the nook of her father’s and with her heart beating wildly, she steps forward as the church doors open and she is finally revealed. Hundreds of prayers on her knees that led to his bended knee.
Yet It is not the dress that takes everyone’s breathe away; it is her face…for she is radiant. Her beauty on this day emanates from a source deep within her soul. She is not beautiful because of a makeup artists tricks or a hairstylist’s skills. No, there is a different quality today, something that is impossible to contain. Her radiance comes from one thing: basking in the glow of love.
Brides are most often described as radiant for a very good reason. It is universally acknowledged that a women is most beautiful when she is “in love.” Her outer expression and countenance emanates from an inner reality. She knows she is loved, and she is head over heels “in love” with her groom. That, my friends, is radiance.
Recall the moment when the beautiful, radiant bride is revealed. She stands before her groom and their eyes meet. Can you see her? Gloriously radiant…girls, the same proves true for us, the Bride of Christ. The motivation to live pure and holy lives come from our love for Jesus.
Have you ever seen a couple in love and thought to yourself, one of two things: “Get a room!” or “I want that.” Lets’ go with the “I want that” thought shall we… haha. It is wedding season in the life of many of my friends, I feel like the last year has been a never ending cycle of weddings. In the words of Loreli Gilmore “Do we like this many people?” I couldn’t be more happy for all my friends, but one of my favorite parts about weddings is seeing the looks of the brides faces at they walk down the ails to their grooms. I am always one to look at the grooms face first; especially if the groom is one of my friends, I always want to see them cry! But I also look at the bride as they enter the sanctuary. Of course, she looks beautiful, but when her eyes lock on her groom, her countenance transforms from simply beautiful to radiant in a single glance. As I witness this I have more than once heard my heart whisper, “I want that.”
I think that is what our love for Jesus is meant to cause in the life of others. When others encounter us, see our love for Jesus, witness the transforming power of His love in us, they will say, “I want that.”
God created us to reflect His glorious light to the world. Just as a bride’s face reflects the love of her groom, a follower of Jesus reflects Him to the world. The radiance God intends for us is the inner glow of a women who is redeemed. Forgiven from sin. Loved by God. Filled by His light. She understands that the God of the universe picked her to be His own. Shes' already living the ultimate fairy tale. She knows she’s the princess rescued by the prince, chosen and transformed by His love. She is madly in love with Jesus and basks in the glow of His love for her. This relationship is so transforming that the world is able to see it—because she is aglow. This my friends is true radiance.
Just as I’ve looked at my friends on their wedding days and longed for the radiance I saw in them, we are created so that when the world looks at us, they see God’s love reflected on our face, and say, “I want that.” Girls, it’s time we locked eyes with our heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, and show the world the radiant glow that results from His love.
“Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.” Ps 34:5 (emphasis added)
Sources:
("Radiant" by Marian Jordan)
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