INVESTMANT STATEMENTS & WEDDING PICTURES
Several years ago I worked at an investment broker dealer. It was at the tail end of the market’s ‘good days’ and during the subsequent ‘bad days’ that followed September 11th. As you might imagine there was a lot of chatter about the disappation of folks’ investments. I remember over hearing the customer service reps repeatedly trying to calm people down. One particular strategy they employed was to tell the anxious callers to look at their investment summaries about as often as they look at their wedding pictures. In other words, don’t get too worked up day to day.
This worked because most people don’t look at their wedding pictures every year, let alone every month or every day.
I remember wondering, “What would happen if people did look at their wedding pictures every month?” Most certainly couples would be reminded of their love for one another, the beauty of their spouse, the changes over the years, and the love that they still have. It could be helpful. It could prevent ‘issues’.
DUST OFF THE GOSPEL SNAPSHOTS
Similarly, what would happen if the Christian looked at the snapshots of the gospel more regularly?
Too often we function like comfortable married couples that have been together for decades. Older ‘mature’ couples get comfortable. They are not as immature and ‘green’ as those young couples that are smiling at one another, thinking about one another, and bragging about one another.
May God forbid that we get over the gospel! If maturity means indifference and distant then give me another word!
Dust off those gospel snapshots and see the Savior, your Savior! Look at him bear up under the Law and fulfill it perfectly for you (John 4.34). Marvel at his resolve to go to the cross where he will pay your eternal sin debt (Matt. 16.21). Let your heart throb contemplating the truth of sovereign grace in electing, predestining, calling, adopting and regenerating you (Eph. 1.4-5, 2.4-9). Force yourself to wrestle with the simultaneously humiliating and joy producing reality of the cross; we killed Christ but God was pleased to crush him for us! (Is. 53.10) Let the personal love of Christ flood your minds and hearts as you consider him praying for you, and the joy and unity of all his followers (John 17.13, 20-21). Reassure yourself of his faithfulness to you as always lives to make intercession for you as the great High Priest (Heb. 7.25-27). Remind yourself that he is most certainly coming again, to return for you. In fact, he is standing right at the door, ready to kick it in and come back (James 5.9). As you look again at the gospel snapshots, observe that his righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and as true as he is the Son of God his rigtheouness is forever the basis of God’s pleasure with you. God will never be more happy with you than he is in Jesus.
This is a glorious album to explore.
If we are (and we are) forgetful, lethargic, unthankful, unmoved, unamazed Christians, then, by all means, pull out the gospel snapshots and sit and stare at the narrative. See the completed work of God in Christ for you. And, just like a good bride, don’t stop staring at the pictures until your heart is moved and you find yourself in love and happy in this marriage.
