The daughter of a dear friend was married this past weekend. Although I was not able to attend the wedding, I have thoroughly enjoyed the many pictures that have been posted on Facebook. Such a sweet family! A glowing bride, a beaming groom, so many precious faces radiating the happiness surrounding such a joyous, special occasion.
Always at a wedding, as the bride and groom exchange vows, I think to myself, "You two have no idea what you are promising. You have no idea what you are getting into!" And without fail, the somber thought passes through my mind, "You can not keep such big promises. You will both break these vows you are making today."
But, still...I love weddings.
Because weddings show me Jesus, the bridegroom who does know what big promises he is making, and who does keep his promises, always.
Remember that marriage was created by God, to be a picture of his covenant love for his people, and then consider the vows traditionally recited at a wedding...
***
The minister asks, "[Groom], will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live with her after God's commandments in the holy estate of marriage? And will you love her, honor and cherish her, so long as you both shall live?"
"I will."
***
"I, [Groom], take you, [Bride], to be my wedded wife, and I do promise and covenant before God and these witnesses to be your loving and faithful husband in sickness and in health, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, as long as we both shall live."
***
Now, substitute "Jesus" for the name of the groom, and substitute "my church" for the name of the bride. And consider that "as long as we both shall live" means eternity. Tell me, does your heart not do somersaults?!!
***
Every time I hear these vows repeated, I feel like a bride on her wedding day, heart pounding, bursting with joy at the thought that at the end of the long aisle I am now walking, my Bridegroom waits.
I LOVE weddings.
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| We were babies! And, no, we didn't have a clue what we were getting into... |
1 comment:
Wonderfully said, Camille! We had Revelation 19:6-9 read during the ceremony to fix our ultimate gaze on Christ, our Bridegroom. It was a wonderful ceremony. Wish you could have come! Love to you, my friend!
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