I'm sure you've noticed that's it's been a quiet time on this blog for awhile now. It's been a reflective time. It's been an intense time. It's been a re-shaping time.
I'm just now emerging from the protected captivation that has been my 1 1/2 year courtship and marriage to my new husband Steve. It's been such a beautiful season of blending together our lives, our families, and our countries. It was a season in which I had been spending my extra time outside of my "nine-to-five" at Living Hope, focused on our relationship and the building of our new life together. In light of the mission I am on, and in addition to the focus we must all have as Christ followers, I think that we are also called to "live life to the fullest", celebrating and cherishing life wherever it's happening. Christ came that we might have ABUNDANT life, and for me the addition of a spouse and help-mate, has been just that, an abundant blessing.
My day as a bride was the best day of my life, but how much more it excited me for the day when we as the church, will be the bride of Christ. In all the joy of our day, I kept thinking about how it was just a small fraction of the joy we have to look forward to in heaven. Can you even imagine what it will feel like on the day when Christ renews His covenant with us for all of eternity?
As I looked around the church a few weeks ago, I definitely felt the absence of those that weren't able to join us on our wedding day. It didn't diminish our joy in any way, but somehow I just wanted to widen the shared radiance of the love of Christ we felt that day. What a lesson for me in the importance of living life in such a way that it leads to the expression of worship through Biblical commitment and covenant. It was something I hope I don't forget easily.
We are settling into our new apartment, and I'm back at work after our honeymoon, just as busy as ever, but I do find that I now have a bit more free head space to engage in evaluating the ongoing forward-moving mission of our lives. More time to ponder and process what is happening as the two of us join together down this road we call life. No going back now! I'm more "into" South Africa, than I ever could have been before. I'm more committed to this country, and it's people, and it's prosperity, because half of my heart and life is now joined to it's future. How much deeper is my call to commit to Christ and His gospel here in SA.
I have found in my bit of pondering lately, that the longer I live in a society the more complex its facets become. Its aspects. Its richness. Its unspoken customs. Its sayings. How it is that I come to understand it. I've found that neither SA, nor America, nor any other microcosm inside of those societies can be fit into a simplistic understanding. As offended as I have felt when people here have made broad sweeping comments about Americans, I feel I should proceed with caution as I attempt to know the nature and character of the people around me. Simply put, I find that I have a renewed desire to shape my character in such a way that the integrity of Christ's gospel and it's message aren't watered down in my day-to-day living... cross-cultural or otherwise.
While I continue to live and learn and make mistakes, and add to that trying to love my new husband, a deeper desire continues to rise to the surface: to know Christ and make Him known. As deep as my desire was for others to be present at our wedding day, it fades by comparison when I think of the desire to share that day in Heaven when the marriage of the Lamb comes. What amazing joy waits for those that are pledged to Him...
"As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you." Isaiah 62:4-6
Love and blessings to you-
Amy
Hi Dear Amy! I loved watching your wedding video and know it was a beautiful and God-honoring day. Give our love to Steve. Hope to see you soon!!