Watching the Groom

“As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” Isaiah 62:5

I love weddings. I always have. I love the pageantry, the flowers, the bride all dressed up from head to toe. I love it all. But my absolute favorite thing to watch is the groom. I love waiting for his expression when she finally steps into view. Everyone wants to see the bride, but I want to see the groom when he first sees his prize.

He has worked hard to win her. He has sacrificed everything to gain this one person. She is his joy, his excitement—the one who causes his breath to catch in his lungs.

That moment when she steps into view, all of his emotions rush to his face. That is what I wait to see.

Some men cry. That is my absolute favorite. It’s the moment that shows his full emotion, with no concern for what anyone thinks. He can’t help himself. It is everything he has waited so long for. It is everything he has ever dreamed of.

And there she is. The ONE.
The one he is willing to give his life for.
The one he is willing to work hard for.
The one he will cherish and hold when things are hard.
The one who will know everything about him—and he will know things about her that no one else will ever know.

His bride.
His helpmeet.
His love.

Do you know that is who you are to Jesus?

You are the one He dreams of. He can’t get you off His mind. He thinks of you all the time. He absolutely cannot wait for the day you are fully His.

He has worked so hard to get you… to woo you. He has sacrificed unimaginable things just to have you.

You.
You are His prize.

He has sent you love letters. He has awakened you in the middle of the night and said, “Come, sit with Me for a little while.” He randomly sends you flowers—blessings, moments, things that simply make your heart soar. Oh, how He loves you. How He longs for the day when He will be standing at the end of the aisle, waiting for you to come into view. The day He will never have to separate from you again, because you will be fully His.

It will be the day He proclaims that you were worth it all.

You.
You were worth it all.

The cross.
The shame.
The ridicule.
The questions.
The accusations.

That one? That is the one You want?

“Yes!” He shouts. “Her! She is the one. She is Mine.”

He says it with no shame, no embarrassment—only love.

You were… and are… worth it. Every single bit of it.

Can you see His smile? Do you see His arms stretched out wide? That is for you. YOU are the one. Look at Him. Look at your Groom.

You are so loved. It is clear as day.

Just look at His face.

It’s my absolute favorite.