The Center for Living Well

When we say "I do"

At a recent Holy Yoga instructor training retreat (where we certified 43 new instructors!), we spent time studying Jesus as the bridegroom and his people as the bride. During the study, I realized how difficult it is for most of us to see God in this way because we simply cannot see ourselves as the bride. Imagine for a moment a bride, clothed in a white gown, adorned with jewels, draped with a veil, beautiful, pure, innocent...more perfect than any storybook could portray. And there is the bridegroom, poised and anxiously longing to be with the bride he loves in a beautiful union, giving himself fully to her and to God.

One of the reasons why we can't imagine ourselves as the "bride" of Christ is because it is hard to fathom that He would want us because we see ourselves as dirty, damaged, flawed, impure, guilty, or imperfect. Because of this, we reject the value he has placed over us.  However, Genesis 1:26 says, "Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness."  We forget that we are made in the image of our creator and our creator is perfect and does not make mistakes.  Deuteronomy 32:4 says, "He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he." If we believe the truth of His word, then we realize that we really are worthy of being the bride because we are made in His image. And, if He wants to enter into a the covenant of marriage with us, then we must be acceptable in His sight because He does not make mistakes!

Another reason why I believe it is difficult for some to imagine entering into this covenant of "marriage" with God is that we have what I term an "Old Testament" understanding of God.  The word covenant is defined by dictionary.com as "the conditional promises made to humanity by God as revealed in scripture" and "an agreement between God and the ancient Israelites in which God promised to protect them if they kept his law and were faithful to Him." This type of covenant is conditional, based on our keeping our promises to God, which we know we are not able to do all of the time.  So, we view ourselves as unworthy of being the bride once again. The beautiful truth that we need to remember is that God sent his son as a living sacrifice because He knew that His people were unable to keep his Law and be faithful to Him. Hebrews 8:8,10,12 says “8 Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”" Because of Jesus' sacrifice, we enter into a new covenant with God where we are forgiven and we are restored unto Him.  He longs for us and loves us unconditionally and relentlessly, and we won't relent until He has ALL of our heart, mind, and strength. When we begin to focus on how much He loves us (instead of how much we are "lacking") and we believe his love for us is real and genuine, then we can begin to see ourselves as He sees us...as the beautiful bride adorned and loved furiously by the bridegroom.  What's keeping you from saying "I do" and giving yourself to Him completely?

Plea to help the victims of the typhoons in the Philippines

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am writing to appeal in behalf of my family and fellowmen. Our nation has been badly hit by 2 super typhoons named Ondoy and Pepeng. The last one submerged different cities in water that damaged houses, livelihood and taken a lot of lives. We were fortunate that time that our house was just almost knee deep in water. But this one that hit us now and is still in the country has submerged the entire Luzon island (comprises several provinces, towns and cities) in water where more homes, livelihood and lives were washed away. This typhoon named Pepeng is the first typhoon that ever hit our country that left, came back and lingered for some more days with more stronger rains and powerful winds.

In my area, 100 people were buried alive from the landslides. My parent's house, where my son and I were seeking shelter had a landslide also and fortunately, we are all alive. My brother's house was submerged in 10 feet deep water. It is still raining here and evacuation centers are jampacked.

I am writing to appeal for any help you can extend all of us here not only for my family but for my fellowmen. Our hospitals are full of victims needing medicines, food, etc. Some cities receive 30 mins - 3 hours of electricity per day while others, none at all due to the vast damage it did.

As of the moment, every city and province here in Northern Luzon and Central Luzon has been declared unpassable due to the flooding and eroded roads. That makes each city isolated. So relief is not able to come immediately. Some people are not even able to bury  their  dead loved ones because they do not have money to buy a coffin. The usual relief that comes to victims is a bag that has 1 kilo of rice, 1 liter bottled water, 3 cans of sardines and 3 packs of instant noodles. sometimes it varies but basically each is given a bag a day.

I know that every one of us is going through global crisis but any help you can extend our countrymen is deeply appreciated. Please know that we will never be able to repay each and everyone of you but we know God will.

Thank you so much.

Gemini Baladad, Baguio City Philippines

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