Exquisite

I had the honor of being part of two weddings. One wedding, a handful of family in a backyard garden space, simple and easy-flowing, with a home-cooked meal on mismatched family china. The other, a church full of family and friends, more structured, rules and traditions, with a catered dinner and dance, both sweet and very special.

Jesus attended a wedding in Cana, not as the focal point, but as a guest. He took jars of water, blessed them, and the water became wine. He took something seemingly ordinary and made it exquisite. Now, knowing these two couples, they are anything but ordinary. Yet with Jesus, their lives together will become extraordinary, exquisite. This is my prayer. It is my prayer for you as well. Amen.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
I had the honor of being part of two weddings, both brides long-time friends of our daughter.
Both grooms were well-suited for the personalities of each. However,
that is where similarity ends.
One wedding, a handful of family in a backyard garden space.

(00:21):
The other, a church full of family and friends. For the one,
simple and easy-flowing, with a home-cooked meal on mismatched family china.
The other, more structured, rules and traditions, with a catered dinner and
dance, both sweet and very special.

(00:42):
Despite the contrast in style, I was drawn back to the similarity.
Each service began acknowledging the presence of God.
Each couple exchanged promises, their unions with Christ at the center.
Jesus attended a wedding in Cana, not as the focal point, but as a guest.

(01:04):
They had run out of wine, and it would have ruined the celebration,
if not for Mary bringing the problem to Jesus.
He took jars of water, blessed them, and the water became wine,
and not just any wine, but the finest of wines.
The crowd, the families, perhaps even the married couple themselves.

(01:27):
Were not aware of the miracle that had taken place.
At this weekend's weddings, Jesus was not only at the center,
but also a guest, performing miracles we were unaware of.
How often is that at the case in our lives.
In Cana, Jesus took something seemingly ordinary and made it exquisite.

(01:52):
Now, knowing these two couples, some since grade school, they are anything but ordinary.
Yet with Jesus, their lives together will become extraordinary, exquisite.
This is my prayer. It is my prayer for you as well. Amen.

(02:13):
And now, The Unravel Officiating a wedding requires ordination and legal papers.
I have participated in weddings, but never as an official minister.
Just search the internet, sign up, pay a fee, get your certificate,
and you are legal in most states.

(02:35):
Nearly every other legal signature must be signed, sealed, notarized,
and registered at the local courthouse, but not performing a wedding.
You can even get your certificate from the Church of the Great Spaghetti Monster.
Yes, that is a real thing.
Marry anyone, anywhere, anytime, and it's legal.

(02:57):
The word ordained was tossed around as if it gave some legitimacy to the title.
Ordained by the Church of the Latter-day Dude sounds somewhat official,
but it's making a mockery of anything truly sacred and holy as if that was anything new.
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you,

(03:19):
then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods of
your ancestors serve beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living.
But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua chapter 24.
When I climb behind a piano or stand to read scripture or offer prayer,

(03:43):
I take it very seriously, an honor to be considered worthy to do so.
That very moment may be the only Jesus some may hear.
And even on my best day, I am but a dim reflection.
The church organization I found asked really hard questions like,

(04:04):
Who are you? What brought you to this place?
What are your gifts and how do you intend to use them?
It made me consider the weight of what I had been asked to do.
Was this certificate just about signing a marriage license or was there more?
The last question was, how will you react if you are not accepted into our community?

(04:27):
My response, the Lord must have a better plan and I will continue to pursue it. Wow.
I should apply the same perspective to every part of my life. Be blessed today.