I could hear the clip-clop of the horse’s feet and the sound of the pavement underneath the carriage’s wheels. I could see it just as it crested the rise in the road and my heart began to pound in my chest. The anticipation was overwhelming I had waited for this moment all my life. The carriage came to a stop right at the end of the isle and as the driver opened the door I came to a new understanding of the word “behold”. The sight of true loveliness and beauty.
My bride stepped out of the carriage and began to walk down the isle.
I will never forget that day. Her beauty, the joy, the covenant. I gave Lisa my life that day. We became one flesh before God and man.
Our society has reduced love to an act and to emotion. It has completely robbed the majesty and sacredness of it’s truth.
The word is covenant. It is a commitment that goes beyond mere words and feelings. It goes all the way to place of sacrifice. We desperately need to return to a culture of true covenant and put to death shallow, selfish, half-hearted commitments.
I love my wife. I have given my life to her and I would lay down my life for her. It is my joy and honor to wash her feet, to fight for her, to pursue her, and to see God’s glory manifested in her life. “He who finds a good wife, finds a good thing”.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other” ~ John 15:9-17
