Our daughter got married last week. I’ve relived the details of that day over and over in my mind. The care that was taken to make sure her hair and makeup were just right, the prayer offered up before we drove to the venue, the moment she stepped into her wedding gown, the family and friends who were part of the celebration, the countless pictures that captured every detail. Memories I’ll cherish for a lifetime.

A snapshot

Marriage is a beautiful picture. Together, man and woman have the opportunity to live a life that points to Christ and puts Him on display (click to tweet).

The words of authors Mary Kassian and Nancy Leigh DeMoss in “True Woman 101” paint an accurate description:

“Males display the glory of God in a uniquely masculine way. Females display the glory of God in a uniquely feminine way. Each sex bears the image of God; but together, they display deep important truths about God in relationship – God the Father in relationship with the Son of God, and the Son of God in relationship with His bride.”True Woman 101: Divine Design, p. 32

A beautiful union

In His infinite wisdom, God chose things we could relate to so we could catch a glimpse of the bigger picture (click to tweet). Notice that God instituted marriage between the first man and woman: 

“And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him…And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.”Genesis 2:18, 22

The big picture

I was reminded of God’s larger plan throughout the wedding ceremony:

The vows repeated on the wedding day spoke of a selfless love. It’s the type of love Christ demonstrated when He left heaven to come to earth and become a man. He willingly suffered death on the cross to pay for the sins of all mankind. It’s a sacrificial love.

The combining of the sand in their ceremony spoke of two separate lives becoming one: 

“Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”Matthew 19:6

The rings gave testimony to a solemn commitment. Neither circular band had a beginning or ending: a fitting symbol of a permanent agreement.

As the newlyweds drove away, I thanked God for a ceremony that brought back memories of my own wedding vows and challenged me to live in a way that would make much of Christ.

Your turn

Whether married or single, are you aware of God’s bigger picture? What step are you willing to take to make much of Him today?