A Tradition That Realigns
We love creating memories by having annual traditions that remind us of the values we want to model for our child in our family. One of these traditions is to say our vows on our wedding anniversary.
This coming 14th November will be our 5th time saying our vows to one another. The Lord has never failed to realigning our hearts back to His intention for our marriage each time we do it. The very act of saying it again reminds us of our commitment to the Lord and to one another despite our every day failings.
Beyond Words
The weight of our vows increase over time and each year gives more meaning to each statement. I can still recall the wrestle that went through our hearts on our first anniversary. We were choking up in tears and I remember us having a hard time finishing our vows. Though I must admit, we felt the grace of God covering us when we chose humility and asked each other for forgiveness in areas where we fell short.
Interestingly I somehow forward to saying it this year more than the past few years. I wonder if it’s a sign of growth or maturity in the marriage? Whatever it is, it’s a good sign and we have a long journey ahead of us.
Staying Faithful In The Covenant
The “Wedding Vows” is an article (with a video of our vows) that I wrote 5 years ago shortly after our wedding. I shared about how a witness is released whenever a covenant is made with God. He is the one who is faithful in keeping the covenant with us and such a pledging of allegiance to each other and God releases a power that has the ability to shake principalities and powers over a nation.
I can still feel the chills from the moment Constance made her vow to me. Likewise, I truly believe that if the Church were to remain faithful to the covenant she has made with God, the power of darkness surely can not withstand the light of God that radiates out from her.
I made a life-changing decision on the 14th of November 2015. I made a decision to make a covenant with 2 persons whom I deeply love; God & Constance.
A Covenant Made
I made a covenant with Constance to give my life to her completely for the sake of love. We also made a covenant with God that our union will stand to rightly reveal His heart for His Church and for all humanity.
We felt His weighty presence in our midst throughout the ceremony. At the same time, there were many significant moments appearing in little ways (as though God was telling a parable).
As we were sitting down listening to Daniel's exhortation, there was a ray of light beaming on the Bride. It was about the same moment when we heard about the tragic terrorist attack that happened in Paris. After a few days, we received a photo from someone who captured that moment. When we saw the photo, our hearts were flooded with an uprising of hope and strength. It was like a little message and assurance that God was telling us "In the midst of all the chaos and darkness, I am preparing a glorious Bride who will shine forth My glory and light".
A Witness Released
The ceremony moved on to the exchange of vows. We heard a testimony from our friend who got healed while Constance was reciting her vow. Almost everyone who was present during the solemnization said there was something prophetic and power in that vow that gripped their hearts. To be really honest, I have not heard any vow that had the ability to cause my internal being to tremble. It was one of the most powerful and profound utterances I have ever heard in a wedding (I am not biased). In fact, while she was making her vow, I was shaking. I knew there was a witness being release. Heaven was rejoicing and hell was shaking right at the moment when those words were spoken. I believe it stands true when the Church is fully given to the Christ, all hell shakes, and trembles.
Our Wedding Vows
Below are the vows where you can use it to make that commitment unto the Lord and to one another; to be that Church, the Bride He desire before the foundation of the world.
Jason's Vow
Constance, I stand today, in the presence of God and before the hundreds of witnesses to make this marriage covenant with you, my best friend, life companion and lover together with our Lord.
There is no better place where I can make this vow and covenant with you than to do it in this beautiful sanctuary; a place where we have many significant moments and memories with God as individuals and as a couple.
All the promises that were spoken over you, all the dreams that He conceived in your heart through those hours of prayer and the destiny He has marked you with through those encounters you had with Him, I hereby promise you that I will be a faithful steward of them all.
I am fully committed to you in every season of our journey that God has ordained for us until I see you flourish and come into the fullness of what our Heavenly Father has made you to be.
I may not be perfect in this earthly life I live but one thing I can assure you is this; I will make Jesus my passion and my ultimate love so that I can love you the way He loves His bride, His Church; with His life.
Today, I give you my whole heart. I promise to walk with you, hand in hand, wherever our journey and adventure leads us to, in living, learning, loving, together, till Jesus returns.
This is my solemn vow.
Constance's Vow
"Jason, today is the day I have dreamt of my entire life and it’s a glorious thing to be able to share the rest of my life with you. It is by his faithfulness, mercy and grace that we can now stand here, with a lifetime awaiting us. I pray and hope that today you will feel the emotions of Jesus on that wedding day, where the bride is made ready for Him and have a foretaste of what the age to come is like.
Before the eyes of God and in the presence of family and loved ones I want to thank you for being a man after God’s own heart, for fearlessly pursuing His heart. It was in that pursuit and His initiation that you found me and then chose me. You are worth the wait.
Today, I present myself to you, wholeheartedly just as the church is prepared and presented to Jesus, as a spotless and blameless bride. I give you all of myself.
So here is all of me - bare and vulnerable, raw and transparent with you, not perfect but tenaciously choosing you over and over again. Today, I give you the key to open my heart fully, the key to access the deep parts of my emotions that I will share with no one else apart from God. I give you the permission to have my body. I present myself to you for you to have and to hold, giving you absolute right to lead me, I trust you.
Today, I choose you as my life partner to live a life that is full of adventure. I will be faithful to you in the midst of the options because you are worth my affections and love. I am committed to building a marriage that will glorify God, where he can use our failings and weaknesses to glorify His Kingdom. Where he can use our victories to bring revelation of His goodness.
I will love you with a passionate and fierce love but always submitting and trusting your leadership. I promise to call out the gold in you, to love you not for what you can do, what others see you as or what you can bring to the table, but just as you are, the Jason I know you to be - the way God created you to be. I promise to forgive you when you fail and to help you become the man God has called you to be, to steward your emotions, thoughts and feelings well. I will believe in you, hope in you, celebrate and champion who you are in both your weak and glorious moments. I promise to be your ball of fun, the one who laughs at your jokes when nobody does, your best friend and the one who adores you whether hunky or not.
I commit to being a faithful and gentle wife where you can find refuge. Where my silent whispers of support will resound louder than any mortal voice of approval and spiritual voice of accusation. I will cry and laugh with you, be comfortable in silence and be your loud prayer warrior when required. I promise to be the safe and joyful place you return to each day.
I commit to being your personal intercessor, the praying wife that will help you fight your battles, a praying mom who will pave the way for our kids, eventually a praying grandma and then hopefully a praying great-grandmother who leaves a legacy.
I am committed to our marriage’s vision of being a prophetic voice, awakening hearts and to build God a resting place in this nation and the nations beyond. We will do this together as a commitment to each other and God, so that the lamb receives the reward for his suffering.
I commit to build a heritage and a legacy for our children and our children’s children.
I commit to do what God has called us to do, He can take us anywhere, and I will trust your leadership to go on the adventure. No dream will be too big for you, God and myself.
I make this covenant with you today, I am your beloved and you are mine. I take you to be my husband to journey together, letting the heavens rejoice and demons shake in fear. Whether it be for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, I vow to fight for this union and to protect the sanctity of this marriage till my very last breath.
This is my solemn vow."