it’s only the beginning

                  I was walking with the Lord and He gave me revelation for what relationship looks like with Him. We were talking about how marriage is very distorted in our world. Marriage is supposed to be a covenant, and God uses it as a beautiful example of Jesus and the Church. Marriage is meant to be a symbol of love, covenant, faithfulness, service, and so many other incredible characteristics of the Lord.

                  However, marriages like that rarely exist. Instead, we see marriages full of unfaithfulness, betrayal, hatred, disunity, and distance. See, when people get married, they think that they’ve arrived. People believe that when they receive a new title, there’s arrival. They’ve made it. They did it. They know their spouse now and they can just kick back and live life. They don’t have to work or try or learn anymore. They got the guy/girl. Now, it’s just life.  

This couldn’t be more wrong.

                  When a woman gets married, her husband gives her his name. In the same way, Christ is the bridegroom, and we (the Church) are the bride. When we accept Jesus into our lives, He gives us His name and we become children of God. We are His and He is ours. Unlike modern day marriages, in Jesus’ day, women did not date. They did not know their future husband very well and their relationship really began on the wedding day. They didn’t know anything yet. They had just started learning each other.

                  This is what Jesus wants for us. Some of us believe that once we are saved, we’ve got it. We are saved and will live with Jesus forever. We don’t need to spend time learning Him, everyone knows about Jesus. But that’s not His heart for you.

                  He wants salvation to be the beginning. It is just the start. Just like a newly married couple, we need to take intentional time to get to know the one we love. Marriage is intended to cultivate relationship through learning and love over a lifetime. Why would we not expect the same with our relationship with God? It is a lifetime of pursing, knowing, learning, and loving Him.

                  Do not think that God wants to check your name off some list saying, “Oh that one is saved. Ok on to the next.” No. He is on the edge of His seat ready to commune with you every day for the rest of your life. He wants to know you. He is pursing you even now. Pursuit does not end once you get saved. Jesus pursues you for the rest of your life.

Shouldn’t we do the same?

                  Spend intentional time with the One you love. He is worthy of it. He loves you.

 It’s only the beginning.