I had a very nice traditional church wedding, very much like all the couples I knew had back in the 70’s, with a reception in the church fellowship hall.  Once my husband-to-be and I had set the date, I set my course on wedding-planner mode and I was absorbed in every detail of my wedding day—the invitations, the flowers, the dress, the bridesmaids, the wedding cake, etc.  Amy Vanderbilt and I became best friends as I sought her advice on every detail to ensure that it was done “just-so.”  I paid for most of the wedding myself, so I also worked on getting good deals or doing things myself.  I even made my own wedding dress (twice, because I didn’t like the first one I made), my mother’s dress, and the flower girl’s dress. The day of the wedding, I set up the fellowship hall and then cleaned the room where the bridesmaids and I would be making our final preparations.  Whew, was I ever tired!

The hour finally arrived.  I received the signal that it was time to come to the back of the sanctuary.  The bridesmaids began their procession. I met my dad, we exchanged a kiss, and we stepped up begin the walk down the aisle.  As I saw my husband-to-be waiting for me down at the altar, I almost freaked out. The thought came into my head:  “This is more than a wedding; I’m getting married! I had been working so hard on the ceremony for the past several months I had failed to realize that I was really preparing for marriage, not just a 30-minute ceremony.

That was 45 years ago last Friday, and as I pondered our marriage, these thoughts came into my mind.

1. I had fallen in love with the idea of marriage, but had not really embraced marriage itself. The wedding planning was not necessarily a bad thing, but when it replaced time spent with my husband-to-be it was certainly not the best long-term use of my energy. I think that we do that with Jesus sometimes.  We get wrapped up in the trappings, the ceremony, the religion, the idea of Jesus.  However, what is really important is the relationship with Jesus himself, spending quality time with Him. As James put it:“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” James 4:8.
2. My husband and I have had some ups and downs throughout these past years. I’ve been deliriously happy and felt very contented; and at other times I’ve felt miserable, terribly unhappy, and depressed. Sometimes it was hard to feel the love, if you know what I mean.  It’s taken me some time to realize that I cannot rely on my feelings because they can change based on the circumstance (Jeremiah 17:9). I’ve learned that a long-term relationship cannot be based on feelings, which are very fickle.  Instead, we must act on what we know is right.  We practice those daily disciplines, whether it be related to marriage or to our faith-walk.  We show love and we show respect, we faithfully read our Bible and pray for the Holy Spirit to display fruits of the spirit, we live by the teachings in 1 Corinthians 13.
3. Honestly, there were times when I didn’t want to be married to “that man” anymore (and he probably felt that way about me). We’ve had some pretty good fights.  However, we had made marriage vows.  We had covenanted “until death do us part.”  There were times when my commitment was to our marriage and to our family, if not to my husband (just being honest).  If you have been married for any length of time, I know you know what I mean.  We committed not to give up on each other. I think our faith-walk can be similar.  Sometimes we are not happy with how life is treating us; we think God has allowed us to experience a raw deal.  However, we have a covenant relationship with God. He has promised not to give up on us, and we walk faithfully through, trusting Him with our very lives.

It’s no coincidence that God designed the institution of marriage between man and woman to reflect the institution of the relationship between the Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:21-33). In fact, throughout the Bible God speaks of the unfaithfulness of Israel as prostitution or adultery, which is the antithesis of a faithful marriage relationship. However, his picture of the Marriage Supper in Revelation 19:6-9 excites me beyond expression. I so anticipate this celebration of what is to come.

“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

‘Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad  and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.’

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God’” Revelation 19:6-9.

Whether you are married or not, my prayer is that you recognize your position in the family of God.  I pray that you are making yourself ready with fine linen in preparation for the time when Jesus comes to take the Church to our Eternal Home.  That will be some celebration!

Blessings,

Judy