Sunday 4 March 2012

Most weeks, something happens in church which totally bucks the trend in culture. Groups of people from vastly different backgrounds come together and sing songs and listen to a talk on a Sunday morning. To the regular Joe Bloggs on the high street, that is an odd way to spend a perfectly good Sunday morning. There are many things that Christians do which probably raise eyebrows, but every so often, real radical behaviour breaks out. It's totally counter-intuitive and shows just how relentlessly the Kingdom of God pursues and changes lives.

I've been to many weddings - most are lavish, expensive and the result of much planning.

Today's wedding wasn't.

Though this afternoon's events have been in Heaven's pipeline for an incredibly long time. God's been orchestrating something significant in the life of one family and recently the scale and impact of these plans became slightly more evident. Some of the family have become Christians for the first time, some have come back to God, some were baptised recently, and today God continued to breath truth and purpose over the family as they stood before their friends, family and two teenage children to become husband and wife - showing obedience to God's word and bringing togetherness and submission to God's marriage and family ethics.

So, it wasn't a hugely glamorous setting in front of hundreds of dolled-up guests. After the church meeting a small crowd gathered as they said their vows and made 18 years of being together official in front of God. No traditions in sight; no dress, cake, bouquet or first dance. But as they said their 'I do's' and their 16-year old son handed them the rings, I can safely say that I have never been to a wedding that was more celebrated in Heaven than this one. It's taken some time for God to move the pieces around the board, but when He does, it's impact is felt and is totally amazing.

I love being part of a community of Jesus-hungry men and women who are willing to pursue Him with such obedience and love.