Deuteronomy 23:23 “Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the LORD your God with your own mouth.”
VOW defined: 1. An earnest promise to perform a specified act or behave in a certain manner, especially a solemn promise to live and act in accordance with the rules of a religious order; 2. A declaration or assertion; 3. To promise solemnly; pledge.
In this day and age we say a lot of things … often glibly, without thinking of the serious implications that come with the words said. When we do so, we cheapen the words immensely. Their meaning becomes cloudy and ineffectual. The off handed manner with which they are offered tends to belie what may be their true intention. Delivery is important, tone critical, others feelings in need of consideration. Words spoken have been replaced with words typed in emails or text messages. Intimacy replaced with online chats. No face to face contact. No intonation heard. Our society is in need of a serious overhaul, in my humble opinion.
Let’s get a little specific for the moment. What of wedding vows? In a day and age when commitment is fleeting at its’ best and non-existent at its’ worst, we must stare down the barrel of temptation constantly. What of the iconic “love defined” chapter; 1 Corinthians 13? Are these words meaningless? Do they mean nothing to us when we say them? Is our “I do” covered with innuendos. In the back of our minds are we calculating deal breakers to the vows that we have made? Look at this sample of traditional wedding vows.
“I, (name), take you, (name), to be my [opt: lawfully wedded] (husband/wife), my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.”
When we make our vows to God and man/woman, they have to MEAN something to us. They have to, or they are a sham, not worthy of even being said. And make no mistake about it, when you make a vow, you make it to God as well.
I have written this for myself more than for anyone else in this world for I have made my vows something less then what God intended. But the ship has been righted and our vows intact.
I want to express my undying love and devotion to my God and to my lovely jewel of a wife Karen. Without her support and mercy, I would be undone completely and totally. Lord, thank You for using me in this small way. May I always allow myself to be used by You for it is truly an honor and privilege to minister hope and grace to all who would hear.
WALKING IN HUMILITY IN THE ATTEMPT TO BE A BLESSING!!
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