Eyes on the Bridgroom

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith... Hebrews 12:1‭-‬2a NKJV

When we accepted Christ we entered into a marriage covenant with Him, where He is our Bridegroom and we are the bride. We started a life with Him, leaving our father and mother (whatever we called home), were joined with Him and became one flesh (Gen. 2:24, 1 Cor. 6:17, Eph. 5:30-32). Now that we are in a relationship with Him we should only have eyes for and on Him alone. However, this isn't the kind of picture many of us believers paint as far as our relationship with Jesus is concerned. Many of us have our eyes on where we came from (life before Christ) or on other people's relationship with Christ, and are pressuring Christ to make our relationship like either like that of the people of the world with their spouse (the world), or like that of other brides of Christ with Him.

Picture a bride who gets married but keeps focusing on where she came from, reminiscing the single life or focusing on the marriage relationships of those around her, pressuring her husband to make their relationship like theirs. How much will this bride enjoy her relationship with the husband and by extension her marriage? There’s a reason why Jesus put the bare minimum requirement of following Him as one denying himself, daily taking up their cross and following Him, losing his life for His sake (Lk. 9:23-25). He knew that holding on to our lives (our dreams, desires, goals, visions etc.) will create a tension in our relationship with Him, similar to a bride who gets married but still wants to hold on to her old life, goals and so on. Many of us are busy focusing on our old lives, dreams, desires and visions and are now pressuring our Husband, Christ, to help us fulfill them. Others are busy focusing on other people's relationship with Christ and pressuring Him to make theirs like those ones. 

Christ called us to a unique and one of a kind relationship with Him individually, and until we acknowledge this we will live discontented, unhappy, and uncomfortable in our relationship with Him. We will miss out on what He called us to, Who He can make us and above all miss out on Him. This is why Jesus said we either have to be cold (in the world, enjoying a relationship with the world) or hot (with Him, passionate about Him), not lukewarm (in-between, trying to hold on to both lives) (Rev. 3:15-16). If at all you’ve come to Christ consecrate your eyes for Him alone and enjoy your unique journey with Him. Jesus doesn't compare us and our relationship with Him with anyone else's, and we shouldn't either.

Reflection:
Are you pressuring your Beloved in any way? Where do you think this pressure is coming from? If it was just you and Him on this earth, would you have the same pressures (things to have, places to be, what to be like etc.?) How much are you enjoying a relationship with Christ? Are your eyes on Him alone?

Grace and peace to you!