we were like those who dreamed

It’s two days till I see my sweetheart and about four months till our marriage. Marriage is a funny word. It’s an event and an action. It’s a noun and a verb. My fiance and I are going to a wedding, and we are going to be wed.

After 27 years I feel it’s about time. I know people who have waited longer than I have, and I honor them. They’ve given up much for the sake of following God. It reminds me of the martyrs, the afflicted who have given it all up for Jesus. I call them “wild goats”. They’re the crazy ones who stand out. The weirdos for Jesus. You know, the John the Baptist types.

(Can you imagine if John was a Baptist? He would bring really gross casseroles to potlucks.)

I think there will be many more wild goats in the near future. They’re the Nazarites, the ones who feed on prayer more than they do food, the street preachers and the prayer warriors to name a few. And I think there will be more who take up celibacy as a permanent status. They wait for their King. He will come and marry them. Until then, they wait and plead for others (married and unmarried) to come and join them.

I thought about being celibate. I’ve even thought about running away to a monastery at times, but a friend of mine pointed out that I would be too much of a family man for monkhood. I agreed with him. I want to have kids too much. I want to have my own kids.

Not only that but I’ve found a woman who will be a great mother and a beautiful wife. She’s pretty, servant-hearted, she prays, she’s patient, passionate, she loves me and she loves Jesus more. I love her. God is teaching me how much He loves me (and all of us) by letting me love her. He longs for us, hurts with us, is kind to us, is understanding, laughs heartily with us and gives so much for us. He really does love us.

In two days I see my sweetheart. In about four months we will be wed. And, at just the right time, I’m going to another marriage feast, but at that time I will be dressed in white along with all the others who have trusted the True Groom: Jesus the Lamb of God.