Walker Wedding

Craig & Maggie,

We read a powerful description of love from the Bible before reading Ps 16. It’s from the 1st letter to Chr. in Corinth:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. I Corinthians 13:4–5 (NIV)

The only person who displays this love perfectly is Jesus Christ. Jesus lives out God’s love for you and for his creation when, 2000 yrs ago, he put aside his heavenly glory and became a person in every way, except he is perfect in love. Jesus’ love shows up most clearly when he tackled your biggest enemies and defeated them. His rescue mission keeps us safe.

Here's what I mean. As the Creator, God gave instructions for life, love, and happiness. Love and trust God 100%. Love neighbour as yourself. You can judge how that is going for you. I have to admit, even after 28+ yrs of marriage, I’m still trying to love Robin and my kids according to God’s standard.

The trouble is: when I put myself first, it creates tension and awkwardness in my household. Disobeying God’s instructions kills relationships. It pushes my loved ones away and creates a barrier b/t God and me. Disobedience and sin lead to being cut off from everything that makes us alive. It leads to death.

It sounds grim, esp. at a wedding. But it’s the reality in our relationships and households. Craig and Maggie, you wanted a Chr. wedding. You’re determined to have a Chr. basis for your household. I invite you to take Ps 16:1 as a daily prayer:

Keep me safe, my God for in you I take refuge.

Find your safety in God. Make the Lord your refuge and safe place.

Jesus has already done the heavy lifting by rescuing you from sin and death. Remember the Good Friday service, when we marked Jesus’ death and burial? His death covers over all your sin and shame.

Jesus rose from the grave on Easter morning so that you can be raised to life with him. Ps 16 points ahead to Jesus’ resurrection – and yours – in the final lines:

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

my body also will rest secure,

because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,

nor will you let your faithful one see decay. Psalm 16:9–10 (NIV)

That new life of safety and love is only offered through Jesus, when you claim him as Saviour and Lord.

Then, from his throne in heaven, Jesus sent the HS to help us love God and neighbour up to God’s standard now that we’ve been rescued from disobedience, sin, and death. Even when our love falls short, we’re safe w/ God as our Saviour and as our refuge.

With God’s help now, you are making promises today to love each other and to make your household a place of love and safety for your family and friends. The vows you’re about to take talk about imitating Jesus’ love for the church and the church’s love for Jesus. Craig, your promises include loving and serving Maggie the way Jesus loves and serves his bride, the church. Maggie, your promises include loving and serving Craig the way the church loves and serves Jesus.

It's harder than it sounds.

I mean, we like the idea of making heroic sacrifices for our spouse and our kids. Being the last out of a burning building. Loading them into a life raft. Smaller sacrifices are harder to make: cleaning the toilet, doing the dishes, taking the garbage to the road, cooking dinner – maybe you’ve got a lot of that figured out already, but that kind of service for each other is where the rubber hits the road.

If that kind of self-giving love is at the root of your marriage and your household, it shows your allegiance to God and makes your home a safe place for all of you.