Is Jesus Christ Your Bridegroom?
Is Jesus Christ your Bridegroom?
Some time ago, a student old me she liked the pictures of my husband displayed in my living room.
Confused, I asked her, “Which pictures?”
Imagine my surprise and delight when she pointed to pictures portraying Jesus Christ.
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She wasn’t entirely wrong.
Jesus is my Bridegroom–my Leader, my Protector, my Provider.
He has become my Partner through the thick and thin of life.
By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.
the family: a proclamation to the world
Leader
Steven J. Lund shared, “Too often the youth in the world just don’t know what to do. They feel adrift and don’t know how to find any moorings. They just need somebody to help them find their way.”
At a recent memorial service, the children and grandchildren honored their deceased mother/grandmother who had (1) loved them unconditionally, and (2) faithfully taught them that the only way to find lasting joy is to make and keep sacred covenants with God. This confirmed what I’ve felt all along to be true⎯that one can love unconditionally while, at the same time, faithfully teaching and living the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many of these principles are set forth in The Family: A Proclamation to the World.
Some time ago, while in the car driving home, my teens and I discussed difficult topics that my parents never had to discuss with me, including identity-related issues. This wasn’t the first time my teens and I had discussed these difficult topics, but I wanted to make sure they understood a few things:
Foundational Principles
- First, I believe that everyone is a child of God, that everyone is loved by God, and that everyone has god-given agency, which allows them to select their own choices and consequences in life.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Galatians 6:7
- I consider myself to be a friend to those struggling with identity-related issues. I always have been, and always will be. I am not, however, an ally for those experiencing these struggles, for I do not agree with the associated agendas.
And now behold…do not risk one more offense against your God…which ye have hitherto risked to commit sin. Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.
Alma 41:9-10
- I believe the The Family: A Proclamation to the World is 100% true and strive to live my life according to its counsel (marriage is between man and woman, gender is divinely appointed and eternal, the sanctity of life, and so forth.) I believe that living these truths will bring individuals lasting joy.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose...The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.
The Family: a proclamation to the world
In Times of Crisis
- If any of my children were to come to me with identity issues, my love for them would never change, nor would my devotion to living the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I would love my child unconditionally, while continuing to teach that god-appointed marriage is between a man and woman, that gender is divinely appointed and eternal, and everything else that is set forth in The Family: A Proclamation to the World.
- To help my child during this challenging time, I would encourage them to consider questions such as:
- What music do I listen to?
- What movies and shows do I watch?
- How much time do I spend on social media?
- What books do I read?
- With what information do I surround myself, and what are the sources of that information?
- With which friends do I choose to spend my time?
- How is my relationship with God?
- How is my self-worth?
- How is my physical and mental health?
- Do I feel deeply connected with others in healthy and meaningful ways?
- What trauma or negative feelings from the past have I not resolved?
- Do I have trusted individuals in my life to whom I can turn for help?
- Finally, I would allow my child to exercise their free will, by making choices and experiencing attached consequences. In the meantime, I would continue to love them unconditionally, while simultaneously living the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Increased Confidence
Turns out, my children already knew and 100% agree with these statements. However, just saying them aloud increased both their confidence and mine in knowing that my foundation, which I work to strengthen daily, is immovable, regardless of the challenges that come our way.
The teachings of Jesus Christ, and the principles of truth found in His gospel, are steady, sure, unfaltering. When one’s foundation is built upon Jesus Christ,
when one’s decisions are based on truth,
and when one has Jesus Christ for a Leader,
a sense of peace will accompany the inevitable challenges of life.
This is the peace I desire for myself and my children and future grandchildren.
I am grateful for my Leader, Jesus Christ, who provides for us a sure foundation of principles and truth.
Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.
the family: a proclamation to the world
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Protector
In the dead of night, I awoke in a state of panic and fear.
The “unknowns” and “what-ifs” of living in an increasingly wicked world filled me with such anxiety that I could scarcely breathe. I pulled the covers closer, seeking some sort of physical protection.
Suddenly, my mind was filled with scripture,
“Fear not, little flock…” (Luke 12:32)
“In the world he shall have tribulation, but fear not, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
“Be not troubled…be not afraid.” (John 14:1-3)
“Fear not…” (Isaiah 41:10)
Then, most incredibly of all, I sensed my name being said. Followed by the words,
“I see you.”
To be seen, known, and called by name.
In that moment, peace came.
My thoughts turned from the things of the world to things of a spiritual nature.
My breathing slowed, and my body relaxed.
Repeating the words softly to myself, “Peace”, “Fear not”, “I see you”, I soon fell into a deep, restful sleep.
Jesus Christ is the source of peace in whatever circumstance we may find ourselves.
I know this to be true, for I have experienced His peace many times throughout my life.
Fear is real, but so, too, is deliverance.
Jesus Christ is our Protector.
Traveling Light
Releasing the burdens you were never intended to bear by popular Christian author Max Lucado
Provider
Truth is not for your comfort, it’s for your liberation.
Your liberation, and mine, are available only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Those who deny the existence of Jesus Christ, or choose to pay no heed to Him, including those who fully replace the memory of Jesus Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection with cute bunny decorations and baskets full of chocolate candy at Easter time, as the world entices us to do, cannot expect to receive the liberation that comes to those whose hearts have turned to Christ.
I testify that Jesus Christ lives. He is the source of all truth. The power of His Atonement is real. It can bless our lives each day, as we seek truth and liberation through Jesus Christ.
Personal Examples
Jesus Christ and his Atonement have blessed my life daily in the following ways:
First, they cleanse and redeem me. In my deepest moments of regret and shame, Jesus Christ and His Atonement offer inner cleansing and redemption from sin, personal weakness, and daily mistakes. To be able to try again tomorrow to be a little better than I was today, thanks to the principles of repentance and forgiveness, is a blessing that fills me with daily gratitude and joy.
Second, when I experience sadness or pain, exhaustion or discouragement, I never have to feel alone, knowing that Jesus Christ has experienced these emotions too. Knowing that I never have to walk alone in this life is priceless. In the moments when I suffer most (yes, even while sitting in a puddle of tears in a dark corner of a closet), He sends peace that surpasses all understanding. Some of my most sacred memories have come from being comforted in the midst of tears and darkness.
Finally, while I am grateful for the redeeming and comforting power of the Atonement, the enabling power of the Atonement just might be my favorite part of the Atonement. When I keep Jesus Christ close to my heart, He strengthens me to be able to get through my busy days, replaces my agonizing losses with gain, and fills me with hope for the future.
Jesus Christ is the Provider of strength, empathy, and peace.
Atonement Quote
With regards to the enabling power of the Atonement, Elder David E. Bednar shared the following,
“I suspect that you and I are much more familiar with the nature of the redeeming power of the Atonement than we are with the enabling power of the Atonement….
Most of us clearly understand that the Atonement is for sinners. I am not so sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints–for good men and women who are obedient and worthy and conscientious and who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully. I frankly do not think many of us “get it” concerning this enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement, and I wonder if we mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become a saint all by ourselves through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline, and with our obviously limited capacities.
Brothers and sisters, the gospel of the Savior is not simply about avoiding bad in our lives; it also is essentially about doing and becoming good. And the Atonement provides help for us to overcome and avoid bad and to do and become good. There is help from the Savior for the entire journey of life–from bad to good to better and to change our very nature.”
David a. Bednar, Power to become
Conclusion
The redeeming factor in the excruciating trials of life is that those same trials have the capacity to draw one closer to Christ.
What a gift that is!
I am eternally grateful for Jesus Christ–my Savior, Redeemer, Bridegroom, Leader, Protector, Provider, Partner and Friend.
In what ways is Jesus Christ your Bridegroom, Leader, Protector, and Provider?
Recommended Reading:
I Can Be Like Jesus by Sierra Wilson (children’s book)
The Atonement of Jesus Christ Is for Me by Sierra Wilson (children’s book)
After All We Can Do: Embracing Hope, Grace, and Joy by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
The Rock of Our Redeemer: Facing the Future with Faith, Hope, and Power by David A. Bednar
