downpayment on a lifetime

The past week was very exciting for our family.  Our middle daughter became engaged to a fine young man while they were vacationing in Vermont.  We had all suspected that the engagement was coming but could only guess on the timing.  One of the first pictures that was circulated was of the beautiful diamond ring on Courtney's hand.  It's one thing to talk about an engagement...but when you see the diamond you have the proof!  It occurred to me that our tradition of cementing a wedding engagement with a diamond ring is something like the gift of the Holy Spirit to those who have decided to accept Jesus' offer of salvation.  We don't wear the Holy Spirit on our finger.  We carry Him in our heart and He is the guarantee that one day we will be united with Jesus for all eternity, in Heaven.  You might say that the engagement ring is a "down payment" on a lifetime...a lifetime of marriage.  It is something of great value that shows how the prospective groom highly values his future bride.  The Holy Spirit is God expressing His love by placing His very presence within our framework, while we still live this veiled life of flesh, faults, frustrations and fragility.  He is showing His love for us, His valuation of us and His commitment to keep His promise to us of life eternal.  The bride is reminded that the man will surely keep His word to marry and be faithful by the light weight and shiny reflection of that stone on her hand.  She is also witnessing to the world that she is no longer available to other suitors.  The Holy Spirit shows up in our words and our works to proclaim that we are the Lord's and we are no longer available to rivals for ownership of our hearts.  He is the groom and we, who have accepted His proposal, are the bride for all eternity.  I hope that you have recognized His proposal to you.  He didn't get down on bended knee.  He was raised on a splintered post to suffer in your stead so that ultimately He could be united with you forever.

Ephesians 1:¹³ In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith