Commitment

I was thinking today about how God calls Himself the Bridegroom and the Church is the Bride. It then made me think of the dialogue that comprises the vows of marriage. Here is a sample text I got offline:

"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."

There is nothing light about these vows. I was thinking about how God is faithful in all these things on His end, and I need to be faithful in my side as well. I need to love Him more with every passing day, for richer or poorer, through sickness, health, good times, bad times, joy, and sorrow. I need to learn His love, so that I can even begin to love Him unconditionally in return. I ought to support His goals, honor, and respect Him. Whatever grieves His heart, ought to break mine too. The things that bring Him the most joy, His glory, should become my greatest joy forever. I should consider Him first, and put His desires before my own.

I am so thankful that God upholds His end, and I pray that you and I can grow in upholding ours more with everyday.