Public Vows

Four months ago today Kenzie and I had the privilege of worshiping the Lord by making covenantal vows before both God and man. Marriage has been a blessing beyond what I can express. I am constantly reminded of the Bride of Christ, and how Christ pursued us to make us his Bride. It is a constant reminder to pursue my wife as Christ pursues the church.

Today I decided to come back and read the vows we made to each other four months ago. It is so easy to forget things in the past. It already feels like forever ago when we stood at our marriage ceremony. Marriage is a public event. Vows are made publicly. People come and celebrate from all over the place. I believe a reason vows are made publicly is so people can be held accountable to the vows they have made. Here are the vows we made to each other. May these be an encouragement to you, and may you help hold Kenzie and I accountable to our vows.

Kenzie, I love you, and I take you as my wedded wife for the purpose of glorifying God. For the purpose of seeking Christ and his kingdom above all things. For the purpose of declaring the gospel and making the name of Jesus Christ known. For the purpose of our sanctification. For the purpose of worship. And I promise to forsake my own needs in order to serve you with my life, even as Christ did for the church. I promise to be faithful, as Christ is faithful to the church. I promise that if the Lord blesses us with children, I will raise them in truth even as Christ has raised us in truth. I promise to hold to these vows no matter what trial we face on this earth.

Ben, I promise to continually strive to love Christ first, and you second. I take you as my husband for the purpose of glorifying the Lord, and seeking His kingdom above all things. I take you as my husband for the purpose of declaring the gospel and making the name of Jesus Christ known.  I promise to daily forsake my own needs and serve you with my life. I promise to submit to you as the head of our family, as Christ is head of the church. I promise to forsake all others and be faithful to you, as the Lord is faithful to us. I promise to be your companion, and support you, even in the difficult times. I promise to hold you accountable, and speak to you with respect and love. I promise if the Lord gives us children, that I will train them in the truth. I promise to hold these vows, no matter what, so that the Lord might be honored and glorified through us.  

I love you babe!

Revelation 19:7

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;