Bridezilla of Christ or the Bride of Christ

We've all heard stories and maybe even experienced someone who took on the demeanor of a Bridezilla.

One Urban Dictionary entry describes Bridezilla as "a woman who thinks that all things related to her wedding MUST be controlled by her because she is under the premise that the wedding is "her" day. In planning weddings, her attitude ranges from very difficult to impossible. Can be nasty, snippy, rude, belligerent, caustic, aggressive and demeaning when others get involved in planning "her" day.

In looking back at my own wedding, I didn't fall into the category of Bridezilla, thankfully. However, I was a Bride who was consumed by the "worries of this world".  Many major life changes,  including a new marriage, were going to commence right after the honeymoon - moving to a new state four hours away from family, and starting a new job. As a result, I didn't focus much on myself.

You might say, "well, what is wrong with that??"

Most brides go through extra effort for their soon to be husbands to look extra special on their extra special day.   Brides will have their hair professionally done.  They have manicures, pedicures, and pay extra attention to having their make-up just so, maybe even by a professional.

I didn't do any of those things.  I didn't prepare myself in a special way for my soon to be husband, but basically just donned a wedding gown.

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We as Believers are the Bride of Christ, but how often do we act like the Bridezilla of Christ...

We want to control and be in control of everything that happens in our lives.  Living for self and not allowing Jesus to be the true Lord of our lives.

Too often, I am only living for Karen.  

I was faced with this ugly truth recently while listening to a sermon by my Pastor on the following verse:

Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.  So you also, when you see all these things, 

know that it is near—at the doors!  Assuredly, I say to you, this generation 

will by no means pass away till all these things take place.  Heaven and 

earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

Matthew 24:32-35

The Pastor asked, "Are you prepared in heart, soul and mind for Jesus' return?"  

He went on to say that a Bride, on her wedding day, prepares herself in special ways for her Groom. She doesn't put on old clothes, but her best.

As I reflected on the Pastor's words, I realized that I keep putting the "old man" back on. I am not walking in the "new man".

that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, 

which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God 

has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Ephesians 4:22-24

 How am I putting on the old man, by not walking in the works the Lord had planned for me before the worlds began.

Just last night I was murmuring to myself "How am I going to fit in church ministry work when I am so busy?" 

To be totally transparent, lately I am putting off Bible reading and prayer time for sleep.  And, of course, we know how that goes...  Busyness takes over and at the end of the day, we have forsaken spending time with the Lord.   I am also finding myself resentful when participating in blog link-ups trying to be the old me "Miss Goody Two-Shoes" and dutifully reading the required blog posts for the link-up.  First of all, I should be happy to participate and follow the rules of the blog hop. And secondly, if blog hops are too much on a given busy day, then I just shouldn't participate in the link-up.  And finally, as if this all wasn't enough, it has been years since we have attended a church that faithfully had Sunday School and evening Bible study and prayer time, which is what I found so refreshing about our new church.  Yet, now that I am working and wear many other hats, I am finding myself complaining about being too spent and murmuring about going to evening Bible study, and complaining about how will I find time to serve in the church.

Me, me, me, me, me.  

Hello, my name is Karen, and sadly, I am a Bridezilla of Christ.

Some of us may fall into the category of the type of young bride I was concerning the Christian life, one who does not go out of her way to prepare herself, but has allowed the worries of this world to consume her and to snatch away the joy of what it means to be the Bride of Christ, and all the blessings that come from walking in obedience under the Lordship of the King of Kings.

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Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come,

 and his Bride has made herself ready;

 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—

 for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 

And the angel said to me, 

“Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” 

And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.

Revelation 19:7-9

Let me preface this by saying that I understand that there is nothing that I can do to earn my way into Heaven.  Jesus' death on the cross paid for my sins past, present and future, when I repented and trusted in Him as my Lord and Savior.

Yet are we forgetting that He is our Lord, the Lord of our lives?  

Are we so consumed with our daily lives, that we have put our Lord at the bottom of our priority list?

Our sole purpose on this earth is to Glorify God. 

Are we bringing Glory to God by being a Bridezilla of Christ, one who wants the world to revolve around her?

Are we bringing Glory to God not living in the full joy of a Bride on her wedding day by allowing the worries and cares of this world to render us paralyzed to prepare for the Lord's marriage supper?

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Preparation for the Lord's return looks different for everyone.  

Those with young children and families, this is your main ministry.  Prepare yourself for the Lord's return by raising your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall 

teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall write them on the doorposts 

of your house and on your gates,…

Deuteronomy 11:19

Those who are caring for the sick or aged, this is your main ministry.  Prepare yourself for the Lord's return by being the hands and feet of Christ bringing comfort to those in your care.

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 

‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 20:35

The above ministries may make it difficult to serve outside of the home, but there is a way to serve outside of the home inside your home, through intercessory prayer.  Seek out your church's prayer chain.  

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 5:16

Those who work outside of the home, prepare yourself for the Lord's return by bringing God Glory through your testimony with co-workers. Let your behavior indicate that you are the Bride of Christ. That without question, your co-workers would know you are different by your love and good deeds.

The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

1 John 2:10

Those of you who fall into my category of working, babysitting grandchildren, and blogging, we prepare ourselves for the Lord's return by diligently seeking His wisdom every morning for the day ahead allowing Him to order our steps in all of our ministries, through our testimony, our legacy and our sharing Christ with others.

Speaking specifically to blogger preparation for the Lord's return, we can fall into the category of the Pastor who is so busy preparing sermons, but doesn't make time for personal Bible study.

It is so very important to spend time in the Word and in prayer before striking a key for a blog post or linking up to a blog hop.  {Preaching to myself here...}

And finally and most importantly, prepare yourself for the Lord's return by being a vital member of your church body.  Seek the Lord for where He would have you serve.  He knows your circumstances and your schedules.  He will lead you in the best way that you can serve in your local church. 

There are so many opportunities individually and through the local church body to be the Bride of Christ to a dying world around us.

Are you ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb?

You might find me on these link-ups:
Grace & Truth Link-up, Woman to Woman Ministries,  Growing in Grace Link-up, 3DLessonsLif4e, Inspire Me Monday Titus 2 Tuesday, A Wise Women Builds Her Home, A Look at the Book,  Sunday Stillness, The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Soul Survival,  Give Me Grace, A Little R&R, Testimony Tuesday, Women with Intention Wednesdays, Still Saturday, Good Morning Mondays, Tell His Story, Faith & Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Mondays, Be Salty, Monday's Musings, The Art of Home-Making Monday, Tuesday Talk, Waiting on Wednesday, Reflect His Love and Glory  Words of Comfort Link-up, Wholehearted Wednesdays. Tell it to Me Tuesday, Faithful at Home Fridays, Faith 'N Friends, TGI Saturdays, Sitting Among Friends Encourage Me Monday Words with Winter Essential Fridays, So Much at Home Family, Friendship & Faith,  House to Home Intentional Tuesday ,Wonderful Wednesday , Monday of Many Blessings, Literacy Musings Mondays,Imparting Grace, SHINE Blog Hop Dance with Jesus, Give Me Grace, Booknificent Thursdays UNITE Cozy Reading Spot, Making Your Home Sing Monday Social Butterfly Sundays  Let Us Grow Small Wonder Link-up Winsome Wednesday Growing in Grace Thursday After My Coffee, Rewind Friday