“Friend of the Groom” – Another Moment of Revelation
Sometimes you discover a new song and it just resonates with your spirit. Right now, that song for me is “Friend of the Groom” by Dogs of Peace. I’ve probably listened to it (and the rest of the album it’s from) 20 times over the last few days. My youngest son has asked me more than once why I keep listening to it. I tell him it’s because I love it; It is a fun song, after all. But, I think it’s more than that. There is a sense of celebratory joy that permeates the entire song, and evidently, my heart can’t help but respond to it. “Friend of the Groom” is about our promised heavenly home, which was only made possible by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Our ticket to the party…
Fellow Ramblers, we are friends of the groom, in the best and most perfect way possible. We will not get to heaven on our own. Our only way in is through Christ and His salvific work on the cross. That truth should humble us but it should also bring us unspeakable joy. Toe-tapping-dance-around-the-house joy. At least, that’s the effect that truth is having on me right now. This song has been a gift to me in a time when it is very easy to focus on the negative, as I tend to do.
This past Sunday my pastor reminded the church at Cofer’s Chapel that we are to be full of joy at all times. Joy for who God is, what He has done, and what He will do. In the words of Paul, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Sometimes, that rejoicing is going to involve us jamming out to a Southern rock-inspired barn burner. Those are the rules.
Another Moment of Revelation
Years ago, I wrote an article titled, “Moments of Revelation”. Here’s an excerpt from the article:
“We just have to be ready to receive them. Mind you, they are not just in the arts. It could be a sunset. Laughing with a friend. Spending time with your family. I could go on for pages about the ways my kids help me experience it. My point is that we need to cultivate an appreciation for these moments that God gives us. There is a fundamental reason we have this ability; it points our eyes to our Creator. If we truly appreciate the beauty and truth we find in our lives, it will only nurture our love and devotion to the Source of that beauty and truth.”
I’m not sure what inspired me to start looking for these moments, but I’m so glad I did. It never ceases to amaze me how God chooses to speak to me, whether it’s through music, literature, movies, nature, other people, or any number of other unconventional ways. “Friend of the Groom” is just one more example, among thousands, of God illuminating the dark glass so I can see more clearly.
While I realize this song won’t be everyone’s favorite, I do hope you have something in your life that speaks to you like this. I hope something is drawing your focus back to Jesus and His inexpressible and glorious joy. Let us know what it is in the comment section below.
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Yes, yes, yes, and YES! Thanks for encouraging and reminding us about these glorious truths, and those special moments and ways they break through. By the way, I think you see it throughout Scripture: “joy unspeakable,” “for I am persuaded…,” “rejoice in the Lord always,” and Jesus in fellowship with His Heavenly Father. Thank you, Phill!