What a Wedding! I had the extreme privilege to officiate the wedding of one of our fine young men and his betrothed last Saturday. So wonderful was their journey to the Marriage altar that I literally had to re-write the entire wedding ceremony. The first time they held hands, kissed, or embraced we were wittiness to on Saturday. Their first date was their honeymoon. The anticipation was nearly overwhelming as the groom beamed as his beloved made her way to him. I had the bride and her father stop at the base of the stage. I was able to declare to the hundreds in attendance that the Church has been in Egypt for too long. We have ceased being salt and light and are now being influenced by our culture - especially in the area of dating and relationships. We have drunk deeply from the well of worldly wisdom and we are reaping what we have sowed in the destruction of Christian families.
We then had the giving away of the bride AND the confirmation of the groom. I asked, "Who has prepared this man for the covenant of marriage and declares him qualified to take a wife?" The Groom's father, also the best man, replied, "I have". He then expressed his pride in his son's journey to this point and his joy at his son's character. Then the father told the groom, "Son, go get your bride." The groom literally bounded down the stairs! His father in law then joined their hands together for the first time and said, "We've had her for 19 years. I now transfer my authority and headship over her to you" He then prayed a beautiful blessing over them.
When they finally kissed it was amazing! Tender & respectful yet full of anticipation and wonder! The way it should be. There were two very successful business men in attendance who were associates of the Groom's father. They sought me out after the ceremony and had one burning question - "If this continues to happen, will it mean that there is a glimmer of hope for our nation?" These guys were heaven and hell serious. To look at two seasoned men who witnessed the power of a multi generational vision of faithfulness being lived out and now reproduced in the life of these families. With great confidence I assured them that our sons & daughters could be the beginning of hope for this fallen nation. These successful and worldly wise men were wiping away tears of hope as I shared the gospel with them.
How awesome is our God and his righteous plan for his children! To God be all the glory!
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