How A Country Song Helped Me Understand My Faith Better

A few months ago I had the country station on while working. I was doing a boring task and music helps pass the time. I might have recently heard a message about marriage being a physical illustration of Christ and the Church, I don't know. I do know that the Church is called the Bride of Christ in the Bible. So when I heard this song I was moved to tears thinking about how Jesus takes our sin and brokenness and shame and then says, "the past is over. I am making you clean and whole and shameless because I love you."

Here it is:

Baby, why are you sitting here all alone

In the bathroom crying?

Oh girl, what's wrong?

You know you can tell me anything

Are you getting nervous

'Bout wearing that new ring?

Well, if that ain't it, is this about your dress

I thought we've been over this

Baby, you can still wear white

No matter where you've been

No looking back

We're starting all over again

I want you by my side

I gotta be your man

You're perfect in my eyes

You can still wear white

You and your bright eyed baby girl

Mean more than anything

Oh, you're my whole world

I can almost see her smiling now

Little basket in her hand

Dropping petals down, yeah

And if people talk

Well, we'll just let them talk

Do what you want

This is only gonna happen once

Baby, you can still wear white

No matter where you've been

No looking back

We're starting all over again

I want you by my side

I gotta be your man

You're perfect in my eyes

You can still wear white

Baby, you can still wear white

No matter where you've been

No looking back

We're starting all over again

I want you by my side

I gotta be your man

You're perfect in my eyes

You can still wear white, oh baby

You can still wear white

"You Can Still Wear White"

Ok, maybe this will sound a little weird but, forget that this is love song and think of that moment when you messed up big time. Maybe people know about it maybe they don't. Maybe you feel unloved or unworthy of love. But there's something you've done your not proud of.I've had those moments I hope no one ever knows about.

• Grace: "No matter where you've been

No looking back

We're starting all over again"

regardless of what she may deserve he is giving her the gift of a fresh start. That is what Jesus offers.

• Love: you would be tempted to take this for granted. It is a love song after all. But don't make that mistake. Look at how love is expressed. Instead of a description of her physical beauty and how it drives him crazy, which is common in Country music, he pledges love in spite of her past.

• Redemption: released from enslavement to her past failures.

• Purification: brides where white traditionally because it depicts purity and virginity. In the Bible the followers of Jesus are given white robes in the Kingdom of God because Jesus makes them pure.

Jesus knows all about you. Your darkest secrets, everything. And He loves you anyway.