The Voice of the Bridegroom

From John 3

27To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ[j] but am sent ahead of him.' 29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must become greater; I must become less.

This is one is for my youth workers (and pastors).

Your heart aches. You've watched him grow and change before your very eyes. When she experienced the Spirit for the first time, you were there. The joy of that first love, you were listening. During his first (adult) baptism, you were smiling. She told you the fear she felt to ask her friend if she knew Christ and you were sympathetic. His shoulders were heaving at his first breakup and you held him. And in your heart, you're still holding him. As she strolls from your church, into her parents car and off to college. Not out of your life... just farther away. It hurts to watch them go. How can you watch them go with so much of you... and go on?

Let me introduce you to voice of the Bridegroom. The voice of the Bridegroom is calling your teen. You can see the effects of his call not just in their desire to leave home, but in their desire to change, to grow, to be different. Jesus is calling them to Himself. As he called Peter, James and John from the safety of their parents and their homes. To the places that most parents would never wish on their kids. Places that will refine them, focus them, stretch and deepen them, and yes, make them suffer.

John had a much clearer picture. He watched as the men that he had poured his life, his time, his patience, his compassion, his genius, his discipline, and yes, his life into... leave. More than that, the crowds were growing less and less. Day by day John faced being phased from his life's work, what he knew to be his mission: calling Israel to repentance. So they told him Rabbi the one you testified about, he is baptizing and everyone is going to him." (Paraphrase of John 3:24).

Interestingly enough, John replies in a parable-like statement (quoted above). He remembers that the people were not meant for him. He remembers that they are meant for God and that he, John must fade out as God gets greater. It gives him joy.

May the voice of the Bridegroom in your teens life do the same for you.

It is hard pouring into teens (takes courage!). It is even harder seeing them go. As they mentally, spiritually, and physically leave your side- be comforted! You given your teenager the most firm and life-giving thing: God (or the way to Him). Your adolescent heads on to a greater knowledge and relationship with God.