**This is part of a bridal series I am writing for the South Texas Women’s Blog during the month of November**
“Just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by water the washing of water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without rain or wrinkle or any other blemish but holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:25-26 NIV)
This text is rooted in the context of marital relationship and Apostle Paul is prodding husbands to treat their wives as Christ treats the church. Paul paints a beautiful picture of Jesus’ vision for His people: a pure and spotless bride.
Let’s take a mental trip back to the bridal salon where I work. Gown care is one of the services we offer. After the big day, the bride may bring her dress back in for cleaning and preservation.
As consultants, is our goal to walk with our brides from selection to public presentation, making sure she looks and feels her very best. We carefully tend to every stitch, button and sequin. We will bend over backwards to make our portion of their day a success.
Some of our brides choose to have pre-wedding portraits commissioned. When that’s the case, we’ll factor the photos into their fittings so the dress is steamed and ready for first wear. If they choose to return the dress between pictures and ceremony, we’ll steam it again to refresh for the big day.
That being said, one of our brides got caught in the rain on picture day, only not in the way that you’d expect. A rare San Antonio downpour had left her portrait location soggy and she returned to the salon with scattered stains pockmarked all over her white satin ballgown. It seemed to be ruined before the wedding had even begun!
Not to worry, we spot-clean, too! Under strong lights, I assessed the gown. Maybe fifteen yards of unadorned satin was spotted from bodice to hem, cathedral train included. I safety-pinned each and every smudge I could find, careful not to mar the delicate fabric. 25 pins in, I heaved the dress to the hanging chain and ironing board; where I proceeded to hand treat each and every blemish held fast with a pin. Some of them I addressed twice for good measure. When I was through, I left the gown hanging to dry, committing to come back in a bit for another inspection.
When I returned to the task a few hours later, I expected to find a clean gown. All the previously pinned places were now spotless. But in their absence, smaller spots had become visible. These marks had been previously camouflaged by the larger, darker spots. In their absence, the lesser defects were now undeniable distractions from then gown’s returning beauty. I methodically moved through the dress a second time, addressing each new, small stain with great diligence. Again, believing my task was finished, I stepped away to let the gown dry.
Imagine my shock when I came back to discover even more obscure stains! The tiny marks were now obnoxious in the folds of pure white satin. The last cleaning required inch by inch inspection. The slightest discoloration caught my attention! I went round and round that gown three or four more times. At last, I called my coworker in to help inspect and she agreed, the gown was finally ready to be worn for a groom.
As I labored over that simple but serious task, I thought long and hard about my own righteousness. I came into faith as a wedding dress from the rain. My initial stains were apparent and painful. Dishonesty. Vulgarity. Manipulation. Anger. Hatefulness. The Lord worked diligently: hunched long hours over my soul scrubbing out the ugliness that was plain as day to those around me.
Once we worked through those big, obnoxious blemishes, the seemingly smaller offenses, previously unseen motivations, came into sight. Selfishness. Pride. Idolatry. Greed. Personal preservation. These once-hidden hinderances still needed to be scrubbed out. Every bit of progress is rewarded by better sight; the more subtle stains stand out against the soul.
This sanctification process is unending because our Groom’s goal is pure white. Day by day, inch by inch, He deals with the blemishes inflicted by fallen flesh. Endlessly faithful, He will keep at it until our wedding day, when He comes to collect us and take us Home. Much like my last round with the satin gown, He is systematically cleaning us, stain by stain, patiently restoring us into an even better reflection of His perfection. He has His heart set on a pure, spotless bride.
Friends, we can cooperate with the effort. The satin gown I cleaned did not resist my labors. It hung limp in my hands as I scrubbed and treated and ironed to my heart’s content.
Similarly, we can surrender to sanctification; submitting our souls to the mirror of the Word and the searchlight of the Spirit. We can respond in repentance when sin is discovered. We can seek to walk in a way that keeps our souls as clean as possible. We can come to Him at the initial discovery of each and every spot.“Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions.” (Psalm 51: 1-2 NIV)“Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean, wash me and I will be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7 NIV)“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me.” (Psalm 51:10 NIV)
Lord, today we see clearly how sin interferes with Your vision for Your bride. We confess our shortcomings and commit to cooperation with Your cleansing. Search our hearts. Scrub out any offense You find. Sanctify us entirely as we submit to You. Amen.