Everlasting Love

We had the special privilege of attending the wedding of a friend today. The most special thing about it to me was that it truly was a worship service. The minister opened the ceremony announcing to everyone that a miracle was about to take place. The miracle is the union of man and woman. It is a sacred union and is one of the "firsts" in Scripture when God joined Adam and Eve and they became one flesh.

We really can't fully comprehend that. In fact, God says it's a mystery in Ephesians 5. The ultimate mystery is that man and woman joined together is really God's picture of Christ and His church (Eph. 5:32). In the very next verse (33) and in the context of this entire section of Scripture, God reveals both man and woman's deepest need in relationships. When He says "husbands love your wives," He's saying woman was created with a need to be loved. Not necessarily by an earthly man...remember, the mystery is that this is ultimately speaking of Christ and His church, but marital relationship is a "picture" or a "type" - something we can compare this to in the earthly realm. Then, God says to the wife that she "must respect her husband," which reveals man's deepest need...to be respected. God says in order for woman to become all that she was created to be she must be loved; and in order for man to become all that he was created to be he must be respected (neither have any condition of being deserved; if we got what we deserved we would be eternally separated from God).

I've been blessed with a good marriage, I was reminded of that again today. And, I never want to take that for granted. I do not have a perfect marriage...that doesn't exist. But, God has allowed Steven and me to share over twenty-four years together and I praise Him for keeping us. Yes, He is our Keeper, the One who holds all things together (Colossians 1:17). We can both attest...earthly love is wonderful, but it could never satisfy the void God created in us that only He can fill. And we can also both attest that there are times when everything in us wants to rise up and rebel rather than submit to each other (in the finality, me to him but we are both to respect (submit, live for) each other just as we are both to love), but God knows best. And His best will produce good fruit in my life. Fruit that will last. So, I choose to trust Him.

Note: Submitting to your husband if it means disobeying God is not being condoned here. That is another subject for another time.

Are you ready for this? The wedding party exited the sanctuary today with this song in the background. And my soul said "Yes!" as we clapped and swayed and sang along with it. If anybody ought to have joy rise up inside of them when we hear a song about an everlasting love knowing Who God is (our Bridegroom) and all He's done in our lives it is the bride of Christ! Listen and celebrate...



We covet your prayers!