Rebel Bride Feature: Rachel M.
Rachel is a petite, gentle woman with a big, big heart. She works diligently and graciously bows away from the spotlight. This woman little knows how much I admire her. She has taught me the value of having a trustworthy work ethic and a sincere heart without ever saying a word. Full of poise, grace, and compassion, she'll occasionally leave you with belly aches from laughing so hard at her perfectly timed remarks.
Rachel's story is unique in that while she may appear meek, she’s dynamite. Her gentle presence has an underlying fierceness of devotion and dedication to God - no matter what the cost. She is courageously committed. Rachel’s soul pressing mission can be represented with the classic hymn, “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back.”
Read about how this bride’s radical commitment to God and rebelliousness to the world, led to a beautiful marriage and family.
Rachel’s Story
For I know the plans I have for you,declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
I met Trent in the Navy; we were both stationed at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida. We started dating and upon completing his third enlistment, he chose not to re-enlist. Instead, he took a civilian job in Minnesota. And so began our long distance relationship.
While we were separated, God spoke into my heart through so many wonderful people and for each of them, I am eternally thankful. I began to pray, read His Word, and attend church. God showed me that I was loved, forgiven, and a new creation in Him. This knowledge and relationship with Christ began to change me dramatically. However, I began to realize that my relationship with Trent, one that had begun before becoming a Christian, was a relationship apart from God.
One day, I heard a sermon about Paul’s words:
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14.
I just couldn’t stop thinking about this. Well, I thought about this a great deal. As a new Christian with a lot to learn, I wanted very much to live a life in keeping with God’s will. I was not willing to compromise my newfound relationship with Jesus Christ.
I needed to talk with Trent.
I blush a bit to remember that conversation. Adamantly, I explained to him (with such frankness and stubborn resolve, as I recall) that I didn’t know if we could continue dating because he and I were not “equally yoked.” My concern that I could be pulled away from this life-giving relationship with Jesus was alarming.
Trent was both understandably stunned and angry.
He looked for a bible. Unable to find it, he called a local church asking someone to help. The next day, he spoke with a woman from that church for a very long time. I don’t know what they talked about, but I do know that Trent began to attend that church regularly.
What a big God we serve! While I stood firm on my new foundation, God was working in Trent’s life as well. Unwittingly, I’d planted a seed. Messily and hastily, but it was there nonetheless. A result of God’s transformational work in my own life.
1 Corinthians 3:6-8 says this, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” And He did! Today, we are so very blessed to remain together, after all of these years, rooted by our faith in Christ. We keep God at the center of our marriage and our family.
“…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:2, 15).
Rachel's Advice
To the Rebel Bride:
It is so important, if one is not a believer, to talk about your faith and plan how the two of you will go about it in marriage. For instance, how will your children be raised if you have a family? How will you encourage and respect your spouse in light of your different beliefs?
Pre-martial counseling is a necessary tool for every engaged couple in order to address these important issues, often bringing to light things that warrant further discussion and consideration.
I encourage you to keep your husband in prayer and to ask those closest to you to keep your marriage in prayer. There is nothing more effective and powerful that we can do for those we love and for God's kingdom. Paul said to the Corinthians that "The unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband (1 Cor. 7:14).
Mood: Courageous
Playlist:
Come What May (Live) by Lindy Conant
I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
Give Me Jesus
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