I can't explain how excited I am to marry Casey today for so many reasons, the greatest of which is her love for Jesus. She has helped me grow in my faith over the past 2 years and I'm looking forward to many years of growing closer together and closer to Jesus with her.
I just felt like a little kid at Christmas this morning. Nervous? No. Excited? You bet! Marriage is God's greatest gift to us outside of Himself. He created us relational, to be known AND loved despite the things we can't seem to love about ourselves. A Christ centered marriage is so mucha reflection of that. I can't love her in a way I should. I'm human. Imperfect. A sinner. But I can allow Jesus to help me love her in ways I would otherwise be incapable of.
Marriage note aside... I woke up this morning thinking of all the guests who will be celebrating with us later. Those who know Jesus. Those who don't. Those we've become friends with over the past 6 months or the past 20 years. While thinking about them, my heart broke. I was ecstatic they would be celebrating with us today, but incredibly saddened by those I know personally, who don't have a relationship with the Savior of the world. I plead with Jesus. Marriage is such a reflection of who He is and what He's done for us. It just hit me. I REALLY want the gospel to go out today. I know it's an important day for Casey and I, but its not about us. IT'S NOT. It's about the One who created and sustains us. The One who brought us together. So my prayer this morning isn't for my nerves, Casey's nerves, or a fun time, but a time FILLED with the gospel. A time today that would solely proclaim the name of JESUS. I'm not worthy of having people celebrate me. I want them to see the One who is worthy of all worship and celebration. I pray that our time will not be so focused on us that we forget the real reason to celebrate, the real reason to live, the reason to love.
So, I'm getting married. Awesome!
Jesus' name will be proclaimed. THAT'S what really got me pumped for today. For those who don't often hear of the love of Jesus. For those who have hard hearts toward Him. For those who have never seen the gospel put into practice. Those are the ones I pray for today. That they would see and experience Jesus first hand at a celebration they may not have thought was FOR that.
So let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19
Seek to experience Jesus today. I promise you'll be forever changed.
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