Why do couples renew their vows? It's a chance to redefine their marriage, celebrate what they've accomplished, rededicate themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ and to each other, and then to look ahead to what they have before them.
In one sense, this is the opposite of a divorce decree. It's an act of rejoicing over the fact that you have experienced the work of the Holy Spirit to make marriage fulfilling, persevering and enlarging. It is making a fresh choice to be available to God's Provision and Providence, so that the marriage can possess its extraordinary destiny.
The decision to renew vows involves soul searching questions. It requires people growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus, having a sense of who they are and are not, and having sufficient courage to be able to take a long, hard, honest look at themselves and their relationship. Therefore, the couple is released to greater potential and possibilities for a deeper and richer marriage in God's Kingdom.
Matt's Vows: I stand here by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great love He has for us. It is because of that grace I renew my vows to you, Emily, to share my life with you.
I desire a deeper friendship with you and I will be your love--a source of security and safety to you--one who dreams large dreams with you.
I promise this morning to love you biblically and to realize such love is first, sacrificial, and then releasing, for both of us. This is a pledge of Godly integrity--to always keep my heart soft towards you--no matter what God has for us. As a center piece of this commitment, Emily, help me to understand what you feel. I want to hear your heart.
Then, I can vow to stand with you against the common enemy of our relationship, the evil one, to stand as a team with one heart toward God and each other.
Emily, I recommit myself to you and to discovering my spiritual purpose as your husband. You are a beautiful person and, together, let's possess all God has for us. This morning, I deepen my commitment to you, before God and all of these witnesses, and to our marriage, which exists for God's glory.
Emily's Vows: I, too, stand here by the grace of the Lord Jesus and the great love He has for us. This morning, Matt, I pledge to sharing more of my life with you.
By faith, first given to me by God himself, I will continue and deepen our friendship, be your lover, your teammate and lifelong companion.
I promise this morning to love you biblically, caring for you, encouraging you in all that God has for you, and to respect, at a deeper dimension, your call as a husband, father and High Priest in our home.
I open my heart to the Spirit of God to keep my heart soft towards you, standing with you in laughter and in tears, in agreement and in conflict, knowing that whatever season we are in God will make our oneness beautiful beyond what we can imagine.
Matt, I recommit to loving you in a way that honors God and you, so mutually we can finish our race well to the glory of God and His Kingdom. My dear husband, I promise to bring you before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ each day of our journey.
----------
Written by our pastor, Bill Mitchell, for the celebration of our 10th wedding anniversary.
Yesterday was a holy moment. After I bathe in all the sweetness of the day, I'll be back to share my personal reflections.
Merry Christmas!