Most married men love their wives. Deeply.
Even when their wives are not perfect.
Sure every man could probably tell you what is imperfect about his wife. The longer you spend time with someone -- even someone you love -- the easier it is to identify flaws and imperfections.
Yet, a good husband overlooks those flaws and imperfections and instead focuses on the wonderful things about his bride.
I want to tell you something....I'm a happily married man.
I will celebrate my 11th anniversary this June 24, and I thank God every day that Kelli was kind enough to agree to marry me. I make no exaggeration when I say that outside of my assurance of my own salvation, Kelli is the most significant blessing I've ever received, or ever expect to receive. My three children -- tremendous blessings each one of them -- are a reflection of the salutatory bestowed blessing, given by God when he gave me Kelli. She is the type of Christ-follower I strive to be. She is generous, selfless, good-natured, compassionate, attentive, witty, sardonic (in a wonderful way in only the right times), beautiful, and servant-hearted. And she is so much more, as if some complex sentence could ever adequately capture all that is wonderful and great about this complex, mysterious, lovely being who is my bride.
Yet, Kelli herself will tell you that she's not perfect. When I think of my bride, I think of all the things that make her wonderful, special, and a blessing. I don't think of her imperfections. I think of all that gives me joy and all that I love about her and I know that I am committed to her all of my life.
I can tell you this, as much as I love my life, I would not hesitate for one moment to stand up for her, to defend her, to protect her, and to honor her. She is my bride. And that's what I promised to do, and I'm glad to keep my promise for all of my days.
The point of this is that this entry is really not about Kelli.
When you ask people what they think of the church, you don't always get many flattering opinions:
You know what? Sometimes, these accusations are mean-spirited and wrong. But there's other times they are spot-on.
There's something to remember that's even bigger than how you feel about church.
And that's to remember how Jesus feels about church.
Jesus calls the church a lot of things in the Bible....
...a mystery.
...a family.
....a fellowship.
....living stones of a spiritual house.
....a body.
But there's one more thing that Jesus calls the church:
His bride.
And the Bible makes it clear how he feels about his bride.
He loves her.
He's committed to her.
He's keeping his promises to her.
He's returning for her.
And He will defend her, protect her, uplift her, and care for her.
Because that's what a good groom does.
He will never leave her, nor forsake her.
Regardless of her imperfections or shortcomings.
Even when the accusations are true.
His love is that deep, and that wide.
And that perfect.
You may find yourself in church on Sunday for the first time in a couple days, or the first time in a real, long time. I encourage you to find out what is great and wonderful about your church, because I guarantee you that Jesus knows what those aspects are, and he celebrates those characteristics of his bride. Be graceful with your church's imperfections, because again, I know that Jesus himself is. Find God's reasons to love your church, and then remember that you are a part of it. You can help strengthen its weaknesses, or accentuate that which makes it beautiful to the Bridegroom.
If you are a part of the church because you trust in Jesus as God's Christ, then you are the Bride, and the Groom loves you, imperfections and all.
*Giving credit where it is due....my pastor shared an illustration this past Sunday that just left me awe-struck. So I'm riffing off it...which is not to say I'm ripping it off...that's different. Slightly.