Trevor Marsteller and I joined hands in the stately building of Missio Church on October 3 and covenanted before God and man to love each other ’til death do us part. We returned the following morning to listen to the Word of God preached to the people of God.
Many of these people were incredulous: “You’re on your honeymoon, and you’re at church?!” We might as well have sprouted horns on our heads.
“You’re on your honeymoon, and you’re at church?!”
If it had been up to me, I would’ve pulled the covers over my head and dozed as long as possible after the stress of pulling off an event of that size. Missing a Sunday here or there hasn’t seemed like a big deal to me, especially after such a life-altering event.
But Trevor is the leader in this relationship, and when he explained why he didn’t want to skip church the day after our wedding, I agreed and respected him more for it. “If marriage is an earthly picture of a heavenly reality,” he asked, “why would we miss out on being pointed to that heavenly reality?”
And so we participated in our local church service the morning after our wedding—as we seek to do every Sunday. We showed up not because we believe church attendance merits God’s favor or sets us apart as more righteous than others, but because we love God, His Word, and His people.
Caring for the Bride of Christ
In a congregational meeting a few weeks later, one of our elders reminded us of how passionately Jesus identifies with His bride, the Church. In Acts 9, Jesus surprises Saul with this question, “Why are you persecuting me?”
When Saul asks who is questioning him, the voice again reiterates, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
How could Jesus say Saul was persecuting Him when He was safe at His Father’s side in heaven by this time (Acts 1:9)? Because as we treat Christ’s people, so we treat Christ.
Jesus’ Spirit lives in His bride, and His bride is in Christ. We’re one now. He loved His bride enough to give His life for her. So how can we claim to love Jesus without caring for His bride, the Church?
After hearing God’s Word preached on October 4, Trevor and I leaned over to each other and agreed, “We’re so glad we didn’t miss this.”
How about you? Are you halfhearted about faithfully attending your local church? What keeps you from regularly prioritizing time with Christ’s bride? What can you do today to value her more highly?
We Went to Church on Our Honeymoon was originally published on ReviveOurHearts.com.
Paula (Hendricks) Marsteller is a compassionate, bold Christian communicator offering you gospel hope, thought-provoking questions, and practical help along the way.
Thank you, Paula.
Thanks for reading it, Moriah!