Today is Ashly’s and my 15th anniversary. In thinking back to the beginning, I’m reminded of our engagement. And, as with most engagements, there is a ROCK involved. Ours had just that!
I was definitely a broke college student so the rock I chose (yes, picked out all myself and didn’t tell ANYONE but my parents and hers) was pretty small. But, I wanted it to look as big as possible, so I bought the one with 4 little diamonds squished together to make it look like one giant stone! LOL.
Well, what good is an engagement anyway besides making the buyer feel poor(er) and the recipient feel on top of the world?
It’s a promise, right? It’s a statement of commitment. It signifies that one’s desire is to spend the rest of life with this other person. In weddings, I always talk about how the rings are external symbols of inwards decisions. They are circular meaning they have no ending by design. They are to be a public declaration and a personal reminder.
But, wearing a ring, really doesn’t mean much. Wearing a giant rock, is nothing more than someone showing their driver’s license. Big deal; that doesn’t mean they are a good driver.
The same is true about a ring. In no way, shape, or form does wearing a ring make me a good husband. In fact, it has no bearing on my capacity to love my wife, be faithful to my vows, and fulfill that role.
This parallels most other areas of life. A uniform doesn’t make one a good player. A badge doesn’t make someone a good cop. A fishing pole doesn’t make a good fisherman. A paycheck doesn’t make a person good with money. A bible, a political affiliation, and a cross doesn’t make a person a good Christian.
As we all know, it is not the label but the lifestyle that really defines a person.
Jesus says this regarding the subject: “A tree is recognized by its fruit.” Luke 6:43-45
So, if you’re wearing a ring, I challenge you to consider whether you’re just wearing it or living out its contents.
If you’re wearing the label Christian, I challenge you to consider whether you are producing the kind of fruit that is Christ-like.
If you’re still on the fence about this because of how you’ve experienced people in the church “wearing their rings but cheating on their spouse,” then I invite you to look to Jesus who can heal your brokenness and restore your perspective.
Jesus gave you a ring and showed you the fullest extent of his love in dying for you and that love has not faded in the least. What will your choice be today?
#DiamondsAreForever
#RocksInRings
#RestorationOfChristsKingdom
#RestoringWholenessOfLife
Brett
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