“…to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith and myself to you.”
Never have I seen a more beautiful picture of this lived out than today.
Today has been a challenging day for my family and I. This morning my mother called just as I was about to do some yard work. She was at the courthouse getting ready to testify for an on going school investigation. She couldn’t testify because she started to have chest pains and couldn’t breathe well.
When she called I expected to hear my mom’s lovely calm voice but instead I heard a cry for help because of the pain she was experiencing. My adrenaline jolted as I ran to the car to drive to her aid. By the time I got their the ambulance was taking her to the hospital. I came back to pick up my dad and we went on to the hospital.
The hospital was about twenty minutes away and I was driving trying not to seem panicked but dad told me to take it easy. They say they devil tries to throw things at you when you are about to do some damage to his kingdom and bring the Kingdom of God down. Well devil, you messed with the wrong guy.
We got to the hospital about lunch time and they started doing some tests on my mom. My dad waited hand and foot on her which I always love to see. They’ve taught me so much on how a Godly relationship should look like but today God was teaching me something else.
My mom had a really bad headache so they gave her some more medicine but, something went wrong and my mom starting throwing up blood among other things. My dad would hold her hair back and wipe a cold rag to her face as she threw up. This is when I began to feel a multitude of things. So many thoughts ran through my mind. But God was present and I still had a peace. God began to speak.
As I sat and watched my dad take care of my mother, I could hear God whispering to me. I’ve got your mom in My hands. She is my child just like you. I love you both and I have her. My fears began to subside but then Jesus went a step further. Remember that time in the Bible when people wanted to follow me in Luke chapter 9? There was a man who said ‘Lord let me first go bury my father.’ But I said to him, ‘Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But you go and preach the kingdom of God.’ I began to get worried at what He was trying to tell me. Don’t worry Jonathan everything is going to be okay. But what I want to know is will you love me and follow me in sickness and in health? If your family is gone, if you are sick in body? Will you stay with me and serve me?
Those words hit me like a truck. I knew I had always said I would follow God and love Him no matter what. I’m standing in the hospital watching my mom dry heave as my dad stands by her helping her. Thoughts running through my head wondering if my mom will be okay, not knowing what her test results are and not knowing what will happen in the next few hours.
But as I stood I began to think how much God has taken care of me in sickness and in health, how much He has looked after me even when I was deep in sin. I remembered what Jesus did for me on the Cross and His words, I will never leave you nor forsake you. I then answered back and told God that I would go wherever, whenever, and however He wanted me to go. In sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer and when I die or if I live to see the rapture, I will spend all eternity with You.
Abandonment. Abandoning a life that is well known. Abandoning the ones that you love for the one true love. Matthew 10:37 says, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”
A couple of days ago a friend of mine asked me if I was ready to embark on this journey called the World Race. I said yes of course. He then asked if I was ready for anything to happen, anything. Of course I said yes.
Today, I have made the declaration even clearer. I will follow God no matter what happens to me or my family. God’s got me in His hands and He has everyone around me in His hands. We do not need to fear or worry because the God of the universe is sitting on the throne and He is protecting us just as I write this.
So, if you’re up for it. Make a declaration with me today. Don’t just date God, marry Him and your journey will never be the same.
“…to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith and myself to you.”
Love you all so much! Thanks for all of the support and prayers! You are amazing!
