Being a Bride

Be it common knowledge or not, Bolivia has been going through some serious trials as a country these past weeks. It's been painful to watch the news, not only because of the startling images, but the journalism is so poor at times. Besides that, it's frustrating to watch the endless, fruitless dialogue between two very different political camps. The general feeling is that Evo Morales and his anti-imperialist, socialist agenda are here to stay.

They are here to stay and they bring anti-evangelical sentiments with them, making the pervasive question,"What will happen to the missionaries and the native, protestant church?" Evo has stated,"Bolivia is for Bolivians." His semanal sacrifices to the Pachamama are clear statements as to where Morales religious ties lie. It's possible that foreign Christian workers will be pushed out of the country...hopefully later than sooner. What does this mean for the church that would remain? There are some who bemoan the day of our departure and lament that without foreign missionaries, the church and it's work will suffer. Others have said that the bride of Christ in Bolivia has become fat and lazy and perhaps this pressure and potential persecution is the perfect remedy for their spiritual sedentry. My personal opinions side more with the latter thought than the prior.

Being of such opinion requires a personal evaluation as well. I can not make such a statement without looking in the mirror myself and recognizing that the Canadian church is no blushing bride either. I have always believed that if I were to be a bride, I would then be a wife who would maintain herself and not let herself go. I have looked on while some friends who "got their man" lost interest in their appearance and slowly abandoned their efforts to look attractive. All my life, I have watched my Mom go into the washroom at about 5:15 pm to fix her make-up and brush her hair because my Dad would come home at 5:30pm. The church, world-wide, is married to Christ, but neglectful to nurture the marriage. I am the bride of Christ, but I am not always faithful to my husband. Sometimes I smell bad because of my sin and instead of righteousness, I am clothed in disinterest and desire for something or someone else. My efforts to keep the spark in this marriage are half-hearted and the love I first felt has been reduced to a decision to stick with it.

It is right to stick with it. Jesus is the One for me, but I feel like a middle-aged spouse who wakes up one morning and asks her husband, "Who are you?". After so many children and the passing of years, the couple stop getting to know each other. Perhaps a little scare or a large scale threat is exactly what a pair need to remind each other of the importance and value of the other. If a military seige and political persecution will remind the church of their first love and solidify her loyalty, then may they come. As for me and my battle to be the bride I once was, I want only that which will make me surpass the affection and the passion I used to have.