Hula Bride

I recently was extremely blessed to go to Maui to see two good friends get married. To be
honest, it was probably the most beautiful wedding I had ever been to! Right next to the ocean,
a sweet tropical breeze, sunset right at the first dance - one of those idealistic, romantic scenes
you would imagine in your mind for a wedding in Hawaii!! But that wasn't what made the
wedding so beautiful.

My friends who got married weren't perfect in their relationship, but they did a lot of things right.
They also spent a lot of time separated, having lots of phone dates and Skype conversations.
Talking to both of them, I knew how difficult it was waiting for their wedding day was. So by the
time the wedding actually happened, they could have made a lot of things all about them. But they continued to choose to honor God first and foremost.

The best part was when the bride and groom made an address to honor God, each other and
their families and guests. The bride made a short address and then did the most beautiful hula
for the groom. It was this beautiful gift that she wanted to give to show him and everyone how
she loved him and was devoted to him alone.

The next day in church, I was reflecting on the wedding and thanking God for it. God poured into
my mind to fill in the gaps of why I thought this wedding was so beautiful. That wedding
reflected to me just what weddings and marriage is suppose to reflect - the church and Christ.
We have an amazing feast to look forward to, with a beautiful celebration of our commitment
and love for each other (us and Jesus).

The hula stood out to me most. It made me think of how us, the bride, are going to be able to
give the best of what we have to Christ. My friend isn't a professional hula dancer, but she
presented what she did know to give the best of herself to her husband. And regardless of if the
groom knew everything or nothin about hula, he would have looked at his bride with love for the
gift. We don't do good things for Jesus to earn a better spot or make Jesus more proud of us.
We do what we do for the glory of God - to present Him with the best that we have as this
beautiful gift of worship. I heard that the gospel explained as music for one to dance in. And that
hula was the best picture of what that would like!

Dear Jesus, help me continue to hear he music of he gospel so I can dance in response! Help
me to see that the things I do are not in vain, but as an act of worship to you. I praise you for
blessing me far beyond what I deserve. Let me continue to look forward to the day that I can
see you face to face and dance before your throne of grace! In your name I pray...

About Leah

Leah works with Master Plan Ministries at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Other than watching college students' lives change, she enjoys getting her mind blown by God and His Word, watching sci fi, baking cupcakes, and spending time with her hunky husband. 

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