By Brenda Black
So much work goes into a wedding day
– hundreds of hours of preparation and a lifetime of dreams. The
bride wonders if guests will show, hoping the dress will fit and the
weather will hold. The groom sweats fearful beads across his brow for
the responsibility he's about to assume. But he also anticipates the
great reward that awaits his persistent pursuit. At least that's how
weddings are supposed to unfold.
When the couple vows to have and to
hold, to cling forever to one another before God and witnesses, it
does a heart good. Still, I wonder each time I hear those tearful
promises exchanged, whether the two caught up in gushing love truly
understand the implications. Sickness, health, poverty wealth. Bad
jobs, broken down houses. Kids who cry and have snotty noses. In-laws
and black sheep in the family. Bad breath, snoring, whining,
worrying. This is reality. That blissful wedding day adorned with
roses and lace won't look like that every day in the ensuing
marriage.
I wonder if the cost is counted, the
resolve intact. I wonder if two young hearts can comprehend the
amount of dedication it takes to stay committed. The greatest test of
determination for most folks by the time they've hit their twenties
has more to do with car payments and college exams than “from this
day forward.” It's one thing to trade in a car or fail a calc quiz.
It's quite another to keep a love purring likes she's brand new and
ace the tests that life is sure to bring.
The wonder of a wedding where two
lives are melded together in holy matrimony is actually quite the
miracle...and more rare than common these days. Modern culture
dismisses its significance. Or perhaps the new generation is just
plain too afraid of failure. But to never trust oneself to have the
ability to love one to death is a sad state of affairs. On the
contrary, to risk it all, and take that long, nervous walk down the
isle to oneness is a great indication of maturity. But be careful
when you think love alone and shear determination are enough for the
long haul. Without faith in the God who instituted marriage, there is
no forever. The power to say “I will” and “I do” must come
from a higher authority. For the wonder of wonders is that God joins
together two fallible souls and His love makes it perfect. Perfectly
filled with highs and lows, one life is complete in the other.
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as
dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved
us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to
God...Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord...Husbands, love
your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for
her to make her holy...'For this reason a man will leave his father
and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one
flesh.'” (John 5 selected)
Tis the season of weddings and
romance. May those who launch into such a love relationship, never
lose sight of the God of Wonders who makes that love possible to the
very end.
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