I know. Some of you are thinking "What in the world? Why on earth would she be writing her wedding vows before she has even met the man she is to marry?!" Well, they're not exactly vows between a man and myself. They're vows between God and myself.
After I had my interview for the World Race, I started a fast that included no television or internet, among other things, until the minute I got the phone call saying whether or not I had been accepted. I wanted to take time to spend extra time in prayer and in the Word, to see where God was leading. During this time, I was reading in Isaiah, and something ocurred to me: I've been wearing a commitment ring for almost 2 years now, signifying my life sold out to Christ, my "marriage" to Him………...but I never had written any vows down that I could go back to in difficult times. As I read Isaiah 54 – 56:8, the Lord showed me how that passage of Scripture could be turned into our wedding vows. So after some prayer and some time dwelling on these verses, here are my vows to the Lord, written November 6, 2011, symbolized by the ring I wear on my wedding finger, until the day it is replaced by a man's wedding band, Lord willing.
Today, I enter into a covenant with the Lord, my Maker and my husband (Isaiah 54:5). Lord, from this day forward, I commit to seeking You above all else (55:6). I commit to calling on You in times of rejoicing and in times of need (55:6). I commit to singing, bursting into song, and shouting for joy, because you are good to me (54:1). I commit to turning to You when I have messed up (55:7), and yet I will not bare shame because You have forgiven me (54:4). I commit to keeping the Sabbath, careful to honor You even more so on that day (56:4). I commit to serving You in whatever way You ask of me (56:6), keeping my hands from evil at all times (56:2). I commit to forsaking my ways and thoughts (55:7), seeking, instead, to choose what pleases You (56:4). I will listen to You (55:2), and as You lead, I will go where You lead, do as You ask, and say what You tell me to (54:2). I will not hold back, but will stand firm in Your guidance (54:2). When I am thirsty, I commit to going first to Your refreshing waters (55:1). When I am hungry, I will seek You, and You alone (55:1). When afflicted, lashed by storms, and not comforted (55:11), I will not be afraid (54:4). I commit to maintaining justice and doing what is right (56:1). I will not fear disgrace (54:4). Lord, today I bind myself to You (56:6), committing to love Your Name (56:6), worship You in every moment (56:6), and give offerings and sacrifices that will glorify Your name and further Your kingdom (56:7). Above all, I commit to holding fast to this covenant (56:4). Until death do us meet.
And here is the Lord's to me:
Today, I enter into a covenant with Jenna, my daugther and my beloved. Jenna, I am your Maker and your Husband (54:5). I, the God of all the earth, am your Redeemer (54:5). I have compassion on you (54:10), and commit to having mercy on you (55:7) and freely pardoning you (55:7). You will go out in joy and have peace in all you do (55:12), because I delight in giving you those things (56:7). When you go out, the mountains and hills will burst into song before you and the trees of the field will clap their hands Youwill summon nations that do not know you, and they will hasten to You because, Jenna, I have endowed you with splendor (55:5). Tyranny and terror will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear (54:14). you will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent you (55:11). If anyone attacks you, it will not be my doing, but they will surrender to you (54:15). No weapon forged against you will prevail, and I will enable you to refute every tongue that accuses you (54:17). During difficult situations, do not give up: my salvation is close at hand my righteousness will soon be revealed (56:1). Trust me: my thoughts and ways are not like yours: they are higher (55:8-9). I will spread you out to the right and to the left, and your descendants will dispossess many nations (54:3). I will build you and your family with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires (54:11). When you listen to me, your soul will live (55:3) and will delight in the richest of fare (55:2). I will give you a memorial and a name better than sons or daugthers that will nto be cut off (56:5). Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor will my covenant of peace leave you (54:10). This covenant, like my faithful love to David, is everlasting(55:3). And one day, Jenna, it will be my joy to bring you to my holy mountain (56:7).
Until death do us meet.
I am His, and He is mine. Always and forever.
