The Millionaire’s Bride

A poor girl from a small village was betrothed to a millionaire.

During the betrothal ceremony, as the priest blessed the union, he leaned toward her and whispered gently, “Remember, you are now promised to a millionaire.”

That single sentence lit a quiet fire in her heart. The wedding day was still far off. She continued to live in her parents’ humble hut, drawing water from the village well and wearing the same simple clothes. Yet something within her had changed.

She walked taller, smiled brighter, and carried herself with a new, serene confidence.

The villagers were puzzled. “You still live here in the same hut,” they said. “You still fetch water and work as before. What has changed?”

She replied, “Nothing around me has changed. But everything inside me has. I know who I belong to.”

This is the secret of the Christian life: like the poor girl, our truest identity comes from knowing who we belong to. When we awaken to the reality that we are children of God, created in His image and destined for heaven, this transformation affects every aspect of our lives, how we speak, walk, and live.

From the beginning, Scripture affirms this truth: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). This is not a poetic idea but a reality. Being made in God’s image means that each person carries divine dignity, like a royal seal pressed on a coin.

Yet we often forget who we truly are. Instead, we settle for lesser identities, our job titles, finances, or status. We measure ourselves by our failures or by others’ judgments. To restore our true identity, St. Ignatius of Loyola, in the Spiritual Exercises (no. 23), begins with the Principle and Foundation: “Man and woman are created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord and, by this means, to save their souls.”

The millionaire’s bride did not wait for her life to outwardly change to feel different. Similarly, when Mr. John, whom I baptized at 80 in Arunachal, was asked what had changed, he answered, “I am the same person, but now I know I am a Christian, a child of God.” Motivational writer Zig Ziglar put it well: “You cannot consistently behave in a manner that is inconsistent with the way you see yourself.” When we see ourselves as failures, we live timidly. When we know we are God’s beloved, boldness becomes possible, even in humble circumstances.

The world is often puzzled by how Christians, even when persecuted or in chains, radiate dignity, joy, and peace. Like St. Paul, who proclaimed from prison, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4), we may be poor yet possess the richness of peace, for our strength comes from knowing we are beloved children of God. When we remember that we belong to the King, hope and peace sustain us in our hardships. Why remain in the valley when we are meant to soar like eagles?

The story of the poor village girl is our story. Though we have not yet entered the heavenly mansion, the wedding feast of the Lamb awaits us. Here on earth, our joy comes from belonging.

What Does It Mean to “Walk Like Children of God”?

1. Walk in Dignity:
   To walk in dignity is to remember that we are forgiven sinners. Christ has redeemed us, and no sin is greater than His mercy. Our past failures do not define us, for “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our dignity does not come from status, possessions, or achievements, but from the unshakable truth that we are beloved sons and daughters of the Father.
    

2. Walk in Love:
   To walk as children of God is to let love overflow in our actions. “God is love” (1 John 4:8), and if He is our Father, then His children must resemble Him. Every act of kindness, every gesture of forgiveness, every sacrifice made for the good of another becomes a reflection of our true identity.
    

3. Walk in Holiness:
   Scripture commands us: “Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). Holiness is not an option for a select few; it is the natural clothing of God’s children. To be holy is to live set apart for God, allowing His Spirit to shape our thoughts, words, and deeds so that we radiate His light in the world.
    

4. Walk in Faith:
   Finally, children of God are called to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). This means trusting in God’s promises even when circumstances are difficult, and holding fast to hope even in darkness. Faith gives us the courage to move forward, confident not in our strength but in God’s unfailing love and providence.
    

The story of the poor village girl is our story. Like her, our identity is transformed before our circumstances change. We may not yet step into the heavenly mansion, but the wedding feast of the Lamb awaits us. Even now, we carry the dignity of belonging, sealed as God’s beloved children.