Sheer Radiance

A well-known Christian theologian just gave his oldest daughter away in marriage.
Fathers do that all the time.
Weddings happen every day.
What made this marriage touch my heart?

This family has had its share of grief in the past few years.
The wife and mother lost her courageous battle to breast cancer.
Their youngest daughter, who was disabled, died ten months later.
Unspeakable tragedy; Sovereign God.

The husband, father, Christian leader will be the first to tell you about God’s Sovereignty.
He will be the first to tell you that even in the darkest night of the soul, God is there.
Even in the depths of sorrow, a loving God holds you and gives you His peace.
Even when you find yourself parenting seven remaining children alone, you are not alone.

He describes his oldest daughter as his right arm.
I understand.
My father never said it when my mother died, but I did what this young woman did.
I did not have siblings to care for as she did, but there was the house and the cooking.

She took on her extra responsibilities with grace.
She had been doing them all along.
All the children had their jobs to make sure things ran smoothly.
As smooth as they could be when your mother is sick and your father is with her.

This sweet girl went to a Bible college and all the while cared for her younger siblings.
She was still a young woman with her own feelings and desires.
God brought a young man into her life.
A Godly man; their relationship consisted of many letters at first and visits when possible.

It was announced that this right arm of her father was engaged.
The courtship was pure and innocent, supervised by family, and overseen by God.
The marriage happened three months after the engagement.
No need to wait when you are sure that this person is the one God brought to you.

The wedding took place last weekend.
Pictures are being posted here and there.
I was struck by the purity, innocence, and Godliness I saw before me.
One needs only to look into the eyes of this young woman to know.

This was a homeschooled girl, with a college degree.
This was a girl who deeply loved and respected her father and her heavenly Father.
This was a girl who cared for others first; who carried on her mother’s legacy faithfully.
This was a girl who was not dirtied by the world.

What a blessing in the way her father protected her.
What a blessing in the way her mother taught her how to be a Godly woman.
What a blessing in the way she listened to them both.
What a blessing in the way she was faithful to her Lord.

In her eyes, I saw innocence.
In her eyes, I saw someone who had guarded her heart.
In her eyes, I saw someone who had saved her purity for her husband.
In her eyes, I saw someone who had never given anything away that God held dear.

What a contrast to the young women we see on many magazine covers.
What a contrast to the young women we see in the music industry.
What a contrast to the young women who push the envelope for shock value.
What a contrast to the young women who are proud of their sexual exploits.

You can look in the eyes of each woman and see a difference.
That innocence can never be restored.
Once it is gone, it is lost.
Our culture praises one type of woman and laughs at the other.

There is a God who redeems.
This young bride will be the first to tell you.
There is a God who upholds, strengthens, forgives, and saves.
For the young women of the world who have lost their innocence, there is God.

The Good News is that you are never too far away, too far gone, too far removed from God.
God is the One who redeems, the One who restores, and the One who forgives.
You can see it in the eyes.
The eyes of one untouched and the eyes of one restored in Him are the same.

The blood of Jesus covers you when you come to Him in repentance and ask forgiveness.
Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. (Psalm 34:5)

This young bride will be the first to tell you.
Her radiant eyes say it all.

The thief on the cross will tell you.
It is never too late; Today you will be with Me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)

The woman caught in adultery will tell you.
Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave you life of sin. (John 8:11)

Following Him is seen in your eyes.
Following Him is seen in your countenance.
Following Him is seen in your life.

The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. (Psalm 19:8)

Sheer radiance.
Glowing beauty.
Pure innocence.

Forgiven.
Redeemed.
Restored.