February 13, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Tuesday, February 13.
I've been a worship minister for over 40 years. In that time, I've been involved in many, many weddings. This usually included having meetings with the couple to discuss their choices for the ceremony. Most churches are pretty particular about what songs are used in weddings. After all, a church wedding is, in reality, a worship service. I remember numerous uncomfortable moments when I had to tell the bride and groom that they couldn't use the song that was playing on the jukebox the night they met. Trust me, you don't want to be in that meeting!
One choice that was never a problem was the choice to include a scripture reading in the ceremony. Often it would be the New Testament passage nicknamed "The Love Chapter" - I Corinthians 13. But in the old days, not so much anymore, it was often Ruth 1:16.
Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee, for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.
That's one of those passages that just doesn't sound right unless it's from the King James Version. Beautiful words. And, of course, these words aren't spoken by a husband to a wife, or by a wife to a husband. They're spoken, of all things, by a daughter-in-law to a mother-in-law, by Ruth to Naomi. For some people, the holiday we celebrate tomorrow can be a painful experience - those who are not in a romantic relationship, those who have gone through a divorce, those who have lost a spouse. But there are all kinds of love relationships - friends, siblings, even "in-laws"! And they can all be a blessing, and they should all be celebrated - on Valentine's Day and every day!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
