This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" Ephesians 3:6.
"There is neither Jew nor Greek...for you are all one in Christ Jesus...heirs according to promise." ~Galatians 3:28-29
As we prepare for our union as a couple, one reflection has become clear.
We were both required to give up something in order to unite as one body.
As we started to get to know each other more, our discussions centered around what we had been taught and beliefs we had developed and taken as our own over the years.
We touched on different topics, and it became clear that our relationship would need to be based not on our opinion or the culture but on the Bible.
So we started studying. Starting with the gospel and moving outward to the everyday ways of life, we started talking.
Who is Jesus? How has He impacted your life? What does “taking the Lord’s name in vain” mean? What does church leadership look like? What roles will we each carry in the relationship? What will parenting our children look like?
Hours and hours and hours of conversation and counseling all centered around Bible-reading and prayer. Each topic required us to evaluate our own beliefs and upbringing and consider what the Bible said to come to a conclusion for our relationship.
But the work we have done and continue to do in our relationship is a small picture of the church.
In Genesis 4, families started to separate. In Genesis 11, languages were scattered. In Genesis 12, one family line (Abraham) was given a distinct blessing.
But that wasn't the original design. The original design was unity in the beautifully perfect paradise (Genesis 1-2).
Throughout his life and ministry, Jesus started to proclaim a new reality that would get closer to the unity of the original garden. A reality where Jews (Abraham's line) and Gentiles (not Abraham's line) were going to dwell together. He confirmed that by his proclamation in Acts 1:8 when he commanded his disciples to "be my witnesses...to the ends of the earth."
And that is the reality we continue to live in.
Striving for unity in the body of Christ until the restored paradise will become reality. Where people from every nation, tribe, people group, and language group will worship the Lord together (Revelation 7:6)
As our conversations deepened and I started to immerse myself in a new culture, we realized something.
Our goal is not to be cultural, but biblical.
I realized that this meant that no matter what culture I set my foot into, I should be able to worship with them freely because we serve the same God, just in a different way. The Biblical norms and expectations should be the same because we have the same standard.
This became true in our relationship as well.
Instead of arguing about how to raise our children or how many times we should read our Bibles, we started looking to the Lord in prayer, His Word and wise counsel. And we started to find unity.
Of course there are still decisions that are hard to decipher. It requires constant communication, prayer, humility, and growth, but having the foundation and unity in God's Word gives us a unified guide to propel us forward. So as many of you have been praying, that is one huge way God has been hearing and responding to your prayers. Thank you!
It is because of this reality (and some other factors) that we have decided to do our wedding a different way. Seeking to combine two cultures into one to give us a preview of heaven on earth and unity in Christ.
It is still an ever-evolving reality, but we are grateful for the grace of God in the process.
10 days until God's name can be glorified through the combining of two cultures into one!
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