There was once a kingdom where the King was just, powerful and deeply in love with His people. He was not distant on a throne. He walked among His citizens, clothed in compassion, offering covenant and communion to anyone who would receive it. The people were to be His bride: cherished, covered, cared for, and called by His name.
In a small village on the edge of that kingdom lived two women. They were born on the same day, under the same stars, in homes across the same old stone-paved street. But their paths could not have been more different.
Fidelia: The Faithful Bride
Fidelia was quiet and radiant. Her heart burned with a deep love for the King, though she had never seen His face, she believed His words with childlike trust. Each morning, she rose early, communing with Him in prayers not out of duty but from longing. She studied His letters, kept His promises to her heart, and treasured His presence.
The King had once passed through her town, and though most missed Him, Fidelia heard His voice and message and fell in love. From that day on, she lived for one thing: to remain loyal until the day He returned for His bride.
She was mocked for her devotion. “You are wasting your youth,” others scoffed. “The King has been gone for years. He’s not coming back.” But Fidelia only smiled. She had heard His voice, received His message and life, experienced His love, tasted His mercy, and been embraced by His spirit and power—how could she turn back?
Bella: The Prostitute in Disguise
Across the street lived Bella, dazzling and adored. She wore religion like perfume—fragrant, yet shallow. She dressed like loyalty, spoke like love, but behind closed doors, she courted other lovers.
She knew the King too, or at least, she claimed she did. She sang the songs, attended the feasts, and raised her hands. But her heart was far from Him.
For Bella, anything goes. She lived the spotlight, for applause, for approval, and for pleasure. She chased materialism, and mistook lust for love, and called it freedom. In secret, she traded intimacy with the King for nights in the arms of some secret lovers. But in public, she stood tall: respected, praised, even envied. She looked the part, but her heart had strayed.
The Encounter
One quiet evening, years later, the two women met again. Fidelia, now older, still wore simplicity like a crown. Her eyes were gentle but burning with an inner fire. Bella had grown tired. Her beauty remained, but her soul was weary. Layers of compromise had dimmed her light.
They sat in silence on the village bench as twilight kissed the horizon. “Do you remember the King?” Fidelia asked softly. Bella looked away. “I remember… once feeling close to Him. But life got busy. People expected things. I had dreams. And somewhere along the way… I forgot how to love Him.”
Fidelia reached out and touched her hand. “He hasn’t forgotten you.” Bella broke. Years of pretending, hiding, and performing cracked like glass. “But I’ve betrayed Him. Over and over. I spoke of Him, but I didn’t belong to Him. I called Him Lord, but I gave my heart to the world. I don’t deserve to be His bride.” Tears streamed down Fidelia’s face. “None of us truly deserves Him. And yet… He still waits—hoping, longing, to see us repent and return.”
The King Returns
Suddenly, a trumpet pierced the sky. Light shattered the darkness. A Rider on a white horse appeared in glory. The long-awaited day had come. The King had returned for His bride.
The village was thrown into chaos. People ran, some in joy, some in fear. Bella froze, trembling.
“What now?” she whispered.
Fidelia stood, eyes shining. “Now is the hour of truth.” As the King drew near, He looked at Fidelia. “My beloved,” He said. “You have waited. You have loved Me. Come.”
Then He turned to Bella. Her heart sank. But instead of fire in His eyes, there were tears.
“Bella,” He said gently, “I knew you once… but you chose other lovers. You sang to Me, but your heart was far. You wore My name, but never shared My burden. You ‘walked’ with Me in public, but slept with the world in private.”
She fell to her knees, weeping. “I was blind. I wanted both… You and the world.”
But the King responded. “You cannot serve two masters. You cannot love Me and flirt with your idols. The table is set for the wedding banquet, and the wedding is for those who were Mine in spirit and truth, not just in name.” And with that, He took Fidelia by the hand and led her into the Kingdom that has no end.
Which Woman Are You?
This is not just a tale. This is the mirror of our relationship with God.
You may be Fidelia: faithful, longing, ready. Or you may be Bella: torn, distracted, wearing the robe but missing the heart.
Wherever you are, the King is calling. “Return to Me,” He says, “for I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).
You don’t have to remain in spiritual adultery. You don’t have to pretend anymore. He will cleanse, restore, and receive you if you come with a sincere and repentant heart. Many are invited, but only the faithful are accepted. Fruitful work comes from a faithful walk. He who remains faithful to the end shall be saved (Matt 24:13).
“ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3: 20).
