VOWS AND PROMISES

We ALL certainly know what vows and promises are.



I found this quote while searching the WWW.  Now THAT is sad!  AND I refuse to believe it!  The politician may be promising things he cannot possibly fulfill, but your life partner--can and will fulfill what they promise ~hopefully.  #2 son recently married and he and his sweet wife recited vows they had composed.  I love personalized vows, for they speak volumes about the couple and I think, we are much more apt to not forget what we have promised if we personally compose those vows.  Although, I love many of the rituals celebrated by the "traditional" church, this one scenario seems to work better when it is personal.  You are still promising before God and His church to love each other, care for each other, and stay together through thick and thin, but the words of that promise come from your heart.  When you participate in the writing of your promises to each other, it then becomes your word--your integrity--your promise that you will have to break to walk away.

NOT where I am going--sorry--pig trail created by the above quote.



During Small Group this past week, one of the participants made a statement which profoundly affected me.  She spoke of the vows and promises we make as we walk through this life.  She challenged us concerning what we are really saying when we utter those vows and promises   You know those, "I will NEVER's" or "I will ALWAYS" statements we throw out--sometimes without really giving it enough thought.  I have a few of my own.  "NEVER AGAIN" has crossed my lips, as has "I WILL NOT".  I have sworn off the Never's when it comes to anyone beyond myself.  I have eaten every "Never" I ever stated about my children.  They showed me who was in charge!


She was speaking of those promises and vows we make about our life path.  I will NEVER open myself up to that pain again.  I promise you will not see me cross that doorway in this lifetime.  I will never accept help from them.  I promise you I will never speak to them again.  Those vows and promises--which will control our lives to a degree.  What we have decided is best for us.

She was reminding us that when we make these vows and promises, we are taking the control of our lives away from God.  We are putting ourselves on the throne and marking the path we choose to take.  We are refusing to turn it ALL over to God.  WHOA!  Stopped me in my path!  Here I thought I was making a wise decision about the course I planned to take, when really I was refusing to allow God to be My Master.  OH MY!  Food for thought, Friends, food for thought!

But above all, my brothers, do not swear,
 either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath,
 but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no,
 so that you may not fall under condemnation.
James 5:12


4 comments

  1. Difficult to argue with this post. Sometimes you say things that your readers have to agree with.

    I prefer your light-hearted posts when I can disagree with you and give you my kind of thoughts! But then, I like the kind of posts you have today too. Oh the confusion ... oh the choices ... will I NEVER NEVER decide?

    God bless you Lulu. You confuse me.

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    1. SUCCESS! I have confused Victor! I love your light hearted responses! God had me deeply pondering these days, Victor!
      Blessings, My Friend!

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  2. Been there and done that, Lulu! We so often omit God's presence in each and every decision we make, or path we are determined to take or not take. Let's invite Him in the next time a decision or a vow looms large. Great post!
    Blessings!

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    1. I was so convicted when she explained our exclusion of God when we utter these oaths, Martha! So thankful He is still teaching me, Martha!
      Blessings, My Friend!

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!