Wedding blessings are great opportunities to share in a couple’s joy, to meet with family and friends, to learn more of how to live in God’s love. Dave, combining the job of best man and preacher with his usual aplomb, spoke from Colossians 3:12-17 about the ‘blue print’ for marriage (and for life as a Christian):
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
We start from the wonderful position of being God’s chosen people, holy and beloved. Secure in this, we are then free to ‘put on’ compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, key qualities in a marriage, qualities that require effort.
‘Love Story’ may say that ‘love is never having to say I’m sorry’, but that is untrue. True love involves saying we’re sorry and forgiving, accepting those words when offered and moving on. The love we are to put on is not the sentimental kind, but is a gift from God which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Dave reminded the couple that they begin well today, making their vows before God, but urged them to take time to be found among God’s people who are also working at their own blue prints, being thankful for all that God has done and will continue to do.
Our prayers are with the happy couple as they begin this next phase of their lives.