As a pastor, I have officiated hundreds of weddings. At one point in time, I was doing four weddings per weekend. As you know, these celebrations are a beautiful thing! One trend I have noticed lately is how expensive they have become. I wonder how families are able to spend tens of thousands of dollars on these costly weddings. Can they really afford them?  

Then I began to think of something else. In this age of Pinterest and Instagram, Are people thinking more about the wedding than the marriage? Weddings are important and they should be memorable, beautiful, lovely, and special. But when you think of a couple in preparation for marriage, if they spend more time communicating about the wedding versus the marriage, this is disproportional. 

I thought about how this comparison can sometimes be true in our Christian walk. Too often we focus on the things we want God to give us, instead of our relationship with Christ. Coming to faith, being baptized, receiving communion and marriage are all milestones of Christianity and we should keep Christ at the center of them. Taking the time to dive deep into each one’s spiritual meaning is what God wants us to do. 

Friends, life with Christ isn’t just about going to heaven. It’s the quality of life that’s made available to you and I, no matter our current status or circumstance. If you are suffering, if you are in prison, a multi-millionaire, or down on your luck, there is assurance within that Christ offers eternal life and no one can take that from you.