WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT: Donald (Doc) Walker & Cassandra Morrow

In our current context, many people don’t understand or appreciate that marriage is special, sacred, serious, spiritual, and symbolic. But I want you to know that it is truly an honor and a privilege to participate in this special occasion on behalf of Bishop Johnson and the entire House of the Lord family.

The unity displayed in this marriage's ecumenical nature is particularly beautiful and refreshing in light of the division surrounding us.

I want to share a few words of encouragement with you as you begin this life long journey together.

Colossians 3:12–15 (NASB95)

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

All of these verses culminate in verse 14, where the scripture reads: “Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”

For if you get verse 14 right, you’ll be able to accomplish the other parts of this passage. You’ll have a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. If you can get verse 14 right, you’ll be quick to forgive each other during moments when things may not be going as expected. I could go on and on, but essentially all of the virtues listed above will produce love when joined together. Consequently, your love for each other, which flows out of your love for God, is what’s going to build within your marriage a perfect bond with each other.

There is a story of a couple who had been married for over 30 years. When they first got married, the husband would drive with one hand on the steering wheel and the other arm around his wife when they would ride together. The couple would sit so close together that it would look like only one person in the car when they rode down the street.

One day after over 30 years of marriage, the wife asked her husband why they no longer sat close together in the car. The husband replied to his wife,…well, the steering wheel is still in the same location now as it was then, so I’m not the one who moved.

The point is, life has a way of pushing people together or pushing them apart. But if you choose to love God first and each other above everything else, you will find the bond of unity created will cause life to push you together instead of pushing the two of you apart.

Please know that Bishop Johnson and I love you and are praying God’s best for your marriage. And may God's goodness and mercy will follow you, all the days your life.