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ATB blog

Wedding Day

3/17/2015

2 Comments

 
As far as I can tell, Jesus only attended one wedding according to scripture. He did however have quite an impact on the festivities changing water into wine upon the request of his mother. Nothing he initiated, but something he did to prove several points.

One, you should always listen to your mother, even if her request of you may be a bit unusual. Two, when you think you are: A. Out of what you need, B. Too far gone to make change, C. In need of a miracle, or D. Thirsty for the best life has to offer, there is only one person who can truly and literally change your water into wine, even if he is reluctant to do so.

How many of us on our wedding day thought that person we were looking at would be THE one to make our dreams come true? When you really think that one through, that is way too much pressure to put on another human being.  Maybe help us find our dreams, but never another human being who can come close to accomplishing what Jesus did. 

Which is kind of my point, why would we ever expect that other folks could fill that void we have to be in relationship with God? There are many times in our lives when we come to the rescue of someone or become an encourager, but we can never replace the presence of the Lord for someone. When a miracle is needed, we come up very short of a solution that is anything but permanent. The water to wine maker is the only who can alter a situation that looks impossible with the touch of his mighty hand. 

So on this day of my youngest daughter's wedding, I'd like to make you an offer you can't refuse (my Italian heritage coming out, if you remember the scene from The Godfather), cut your partner, your family and friends some slack as to what you expect from them, it makes life a whole lot easier to live. Be forgiving not demanding. Expect good, but when it doesn't happen, there is someone who can step in the gap to make wine out of that murky water.

We know that for sure, but we also know he listened to his mother, which is another good point!



2 Comments
Russell
3/17/2015 10:22:23 pm

Dear Glenn
I think what we forget is that marriage is three, not two: you, me and God. Marriage is a sacrement, a covenant with Him. Spouses search together for ways to conciously relate to Him, to pray without ceasing as individuals and a couple.
The problem is that we start by making our partner bigger than Him - our Golden Calf, a fertility god/dess. And when the exciting infatuation finally begins to wear off, when we build up a tolerance to it, we blame the other, or (maybe) ourselves. We don't realize that individually and together, we didn't put Him in the director's chair in our marriage.
Our task in relationship is to follow His lead, growing closer to both Him and to him/her, progress not perfection, until He calls us home.
This spouse He led to us is as good as it gets. We can only learn to love each other if we are guided by Him. That's really the whole point of it, bait and switch, like recovery: start out for one reason and finally learn that it won't work if we don't put Him first, unless our motive is to glorify Him.
Russell

Reply
Marsy Thomas
3/18/2015 07:11:09 am

Glenn,
Great comments in this blog. You have much wisdom and we thank you for passing it on to us. Also, Russell's comments are 100% correct. Bless you both. Congratulations to your daughter!
Marsy Thomas

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Glenn Yankowski

    Glenn is an ex-Marine Viet Nam vet who is also a recovering alcoholic, clean and sober for 30 years. He has been involved in start up and ongoing recovery ministry at North Atlanta Church and Campus for the last two decades. He has a passion for outreach and to spread the message that the answer to lasting and fulfilling recovery from addiction is in a relationship with Jesus Christ. He and the ATB team are available to assist in your questions or needs on an individual basis and will do so maintaining complete confidentiality. You may e-mail him at sgtski@bellsouth.net.

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