Wedding Rings Eternally?

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Wedding Rings Eternally?

Life Today!

©2015 | Bill C. Dotson

Eternity

Wedding Rings…vary greatly, depending on the preferences of the giver and receiver. They are also referred to as wedding bands. Joanne slipped a plain white gold one on my finger December 27, 1958. I love it because I love her. It’s actually the only item of jewelry I wear. Her ring has a diamond.

It is widely believed that the first examples of wedding rings were found in ancient Egypt. Relics dating back as far as 3,000 years ago, including papyrus scrolls, show evidence of braided rings of hemp or reeds being exchanged among a wedding couple. Egypt viewed the circle as a symbol of eternity, and the ring served to signify the never-ending love between the couple. This was also the origin of the practice of wearing the wedding ring on the ring finger of the left-hand, which the Egyptians believed to house a special vein that was connected directly to the heart.

Only until the late 19th century, the vast majority were single ring ceremonies for the bride. Double ring ceremonies make up about 80% of American wedding ceremonies. Today, many couples are opting to skip the ceremony; move in, till you move out! No ring necessary! Why complicate things? Commitments are old hat, and what’s more, what difference does a ring on your left hand make anyway?

U-Haul mentality

The answer is none, if the vows are meaningless. Better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death separates us. “That sounds so complicated and binding; where’s the freedom part come in” you ask. “What will I do if she turns possessive on me?” “Maybe a better situation comes along for either of us.” This is the U-Haul mentality! Rent a new place, remove my earthly possessions, and I’m out of here. No boundaries, no restrictions, pure freedom! Or, at least one would be led to think so.

But when one goes against the moral design of God, consequences are imminent. Handling human failure through the use of worldly wisdom is a recipe for disaster. Christ’s words spoke truth about this issue as He addresses a question by the ever-present Pharisees.  “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mt. 19.4-6).

Commitment

Rings reflect ‘eternal’—no beginning, no end! While it is not the ring but the commitment that makes a marriage, it is such a strong reminder, and witness, of your covenant with your spouse. Fathers, husbands, I’m speaking directly to you. There can be no stronger statement to your kids than honoring your vows, loving your wife, their mother, and staying the course. Sure, there are trials, some severe, but the deepest sense of joy is pleasing God who ordained you as the head and leader of your family. Operate by faith and God is going to honor that faith with His blessing on you and your family—GUARANTEED!

Dad, are you willing to take a stand, draw a line in the sand, and go against the world’s system? It won’t be easy, you’ll be ridiculed, but in the end as well as along the way, your deep sense of dedication will speak volumes to a world that has lost its bearings. Your family is counting on you, and a redemptive God is cheering for you! Take a new look at your ring—even more so at your covenant!

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Abiding Fathers is a Biblical fatherhood discipleship ministry committed to helping men be the dad…God wants them to be. It’s a movement of God that is “International-Relational-Generational”. Join with us. We need you!


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