On Wednesday we continued our message Marathon Marriage with a teaching by me,  concluded with many couples renewing their vows.

The vows we make are actually what marries us.   It’s not the government.  It’s not sex.  It’s not a ring.  It’s not the pronouncement by the preacher.  These aspects are very crucial parts of a marriage, but the vows before God, family and friends are what unite a man and woman in marriage.

The problem is, most people don’t even remember the vows they made at their wedding.   The wedding is an unique experience.  The bride and groom are dressed in unusual clothes, and most people have never been the center of attention before a group of people.  Therefore, many people I have married comment later something like this: “I was so nervous, I don’t even remember the ceremony.”   As a result of this common experience, most people don’t even know the words of  the most defining statement of their life.

That’s why I propose that renewing our vows shouldn’t be something so unique and different that we relegate it to rare occasions.   In fact, at one time I prayed through my vows as part of my prayer list.

Here are the vows that we used on Wednesday:

Exchange of Vows

I, ____________ take you ________________
to be my wedded wife (husband),
and I do promise and covenant
before God and these witnesses
to be your loving and faithful husband
in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow,
in sickness and in health,
as long as we both shall live.