Long-distance love affair

Di and I are waiting to hear whether her employer will move her back to Boise next spring. We've lived apart now for all four months of our marriage and for nearly a year before the wedding. It's been the right thing to do, the necessary thing; but correctness and necessity don't make the distance any easier to deal with. We have to settle for occasional visits, talks on the phone (not my favorite activity anyway), and e-mail. Trust me: it's just not the same as being together. We'll get through it, but we're both ready to be through it.

I'm sure this isn't an original thought (if there are such things anymore), but it struck me that God must view our present separation with similar discomfort and impatience. Scripture calls the church the Bride of Christ. I can't imagine that Jesus is any happier about living apart from His bride than I am to live apart from mine.

But how eager am I for reunion with Christ? Di is soooo excited by just the possibility that we'll be together in another few months. She's already setting things in order to leave Coeur d'Alene, like helping her brother and sister-in-law take over her cattery. I confess that I haven't been living in the same kind of exultant expectation about my future with Christ. Eternal life is a truth I've been taking for granted. I've been too comfortable in and consumed by this present life. It's a very good life, mind you, and there's nothing wrong with enjoying it to the fullest. But my Love isn't here. Yet.

What do you think?

Comments

[John Shultz]

I have been thinking of the same things Tim. As a matter of fact, I have been thinking of the Kingdom parables in Luke. You know the ones that say that the "Kingdom of Heaven is like..."
The pearl of great price comes to mind. Is the kingdom of God of value to me. Of enough value to be more passionate about my relationship with God. Enough value that I would be more passionate about the salvation message of Jesus Christ. Yes you guessed it, it really isn't. I am praying that God would invade my heart and soul so mightily that my perspective on life and his kingdom would radically change how I act and serve in His kingdom.
God bless you and Diane and we are praying for doors to open wide in Boise for you to be together permantly.

John