"MY WORD IS MY BOND"

I am in the middle of traveling and find myself in a quiet place with God and am soaking in all that I can. As I do, I was reminded of something my wife wrote back in 2005, and with her permission I have placed in this blog for this weeks Thrive.

"MY WORD IS MY BOND"

In 1921 my grandfather entered this world. At the age of 17 he married his high school sweetheart and last September 2004 we celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. I had the distinct privilege of watching my grandfather live out his vow to the Lord and to my grandmother, even unto death.

Now, Webster's Dictionary states that a vow is a "promise solemnly, to never leave each other, a covenant, a promise, a pledge."

We make many "pledges", "promises" and "vows" in the course of our lives. From secrets promised in childhood, loyalty to our country as we stand with our hand over our heart, to marriage. When we marry we make a solemn vow to "never leave each other" as long as we both shall live. However, over generations of time we have forgotten what a "vow" really stands for. Our world view and belief is "if it doesn't work for me, find something else that does."
In the book of Numbers, chapter 30, verse 2 we read, "…that when a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said."

I was never more impressed with a young person's grasp of a "vow", until I met Ryan. During the summer of 2004, Ryan came every day to help with puppets during VBS. He made a commitment to be there, and he was. I later found out he had the opportunity to go see the Cleveland Indians play. Now, what young boy would not want to go and see a pro baseball game? Anyone would jump at the chance and would be able to find some "good" reason to go. However, he told his mother that he had made a commitment to be here at the church to help with VBS and he gave up the opportunity. Ryan has learned young in life, as did my grandfather, what a vow truly means.

Take a moment today and reflect, "What is your world view and belief in regards to what a vow is?" Have you viewed a vow as just words and that "if it doesn't work for me, find something else that does"? Or, have you embraced the winding road of life that bring joys and sorrows? As I type this I know that we all have had moments of the first view at some point in our walk, and I can honestly say that the latter is something to be grasped, held onto and to cherish a second chance.

In my 36 years of life I have witnessed a couple who embraced the meaning of a "vow" through their marriage and through their relationship with the Lord, and the joy and love that sprang up from that commitment. I have also witnessed the emptiness search of those who go through the motions of a vow, who later walk away in search of the greener pastures.

Take time this week to go through your Bible and pull out verses that talk about "promise", "covenant" or even "vow". (i.e. 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 4:21; Hebrews 13:5; Joshua 1:5; Isaiah 43:2; Genesis 9:9; Hebrews 9:15). I believe you will find that these were not just words spoken with a "wink", but rather the Character of our God that we hold onto as an anchor in our journey with Him.

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when test and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." James 1:2-4

True Intimacy
By: Angel S. Thompson
Copyright Year: © 2005
All Rights Reserved
Published by Unleashing Potential Ministries
ISBN: 1-4116-3274-5