I am in Tuscaloosa Alabama. Roll Tide! Amen? My cousin is getting married this evening. Her name is Jennifer. It is such a big deal. I don't think our minds can really comprehend how great this day really is. There are a lot of mixed emotions with the family. My wife's family is really close, and cousins are just as close as brothers and sisters in this family. "Is Andrew really good enough for Jennifer?" I have asked myself the same question over and over again as I know that many others have. And on the flip-side- "Is Jennifer really good enough for Andrew?" Questions from the other side.
Truth is- they love each other. It's pretty obvious.
I was just reading in my journal and found something that has made me stop and think. It's good to stop and think sometimes. It is something that I have come back to several times since I first journaled these thoughts...
Bruce Waltke wrote in his commentary on Genesis- "A man and woman are never more like God than on their wedding day when they commit themselves unconditionally to one another."
Unconditional Commitment. It makes me sad to think that my commitment to God has become conditional. I learn again and again what it means when God says "Return to your first love."
When I chose Christ, I committed to UNCONDITIONAL LOVE- Both ways. I embrace his unconditional love for me, and I strive for unconditional love for Jesus.
God has always loved me unconditionally,
uninterrupted,
and un-die-ingly. It never fades.
When I have been silent and ignorant to Him, He has LOVED me.
When situations distract me from LOVING Him, He consistently LOVED me.
When I felt like my relationship with Him was Dead, it was ALWAYS very much ALIVE, because
He
&
His
LOVE
never die.
My wife is the Matron of Honor tonight. She is beautiful. She will be stunning. And a great assistant to the bride.
The first wedding must have been very beautiful. "And the Lord brought the woman to the man." -Gen 2:22
Words probably don't do justice to the moment. Moses went straight to the point, but let your imagination run wild and look around the garden as Adam, sin untouched, breathes in the air and enjoys the beauty that God has placed him in. God, as proud as a father walking the bride down the aisle, brings his most prized creation, the woman, to his other prized creation, the man. Joy must have flooded all of their hearts. This is unity. This is perfection. Remember- "It is not good for man to be alone." This is pure goodness. See Adam look into the eyes of the Father, and thank him with a giant smile. See God smile a God-sized smile back at him and nod as if to say, "You are welcome. Enjoy." See the woman, knowing without a doubt that she stands between two who would gladly lay down their lives for her. See the freedom and purity in her face because she knows that she is loved and accepted. Unconditional love exists amongst them. It must have been a beautiful day. And so is today. "A man and woman are never more like God than on their wedding day when they commit themselves unconditionally to one another." Andrew and Jennifer wil stand before hundreds. Some will not appreciate it. Some will hold their breath, though, because they know that this day is special. Some will feel the presence of the Proud Father, standing amongst them, saying "This is good. Enjoy one another. And always LOVE."
I will never be more like God than when I love people unconditionally. When I love others. Unconditionally. When I love my wife. Unconditionally. When I love Jesus. Unconditionally.
Come Lord, I am waiting.
