Join the Journey

Life Milestone, Love Milestone

Committment to God Led to a Committment to Love: Marriage

• Walking with God // God's plans
• Adam R. Cole // June 24, 2009

Since bringing the Lord into my life, in a personal way, in a way that I was willing to listen and follow His footsteps, He had always led me in different endeavors, projects of various sorts, to touch others and bring blessings into others’ lives.

I didn’t expect it—but was much appreciative of it—when He sent me to build a deep relationship with a special woman, to build it in a Christ-like way, to embark on a journey that was a labor of love, of which the fruits were a genuine love.

The culmination of that endeavor, that journey brought me to the altar of First Baptist Church of Norfolk May 24, 2009, looking into the eyes of Rebekah Fariss, an amazingly beautiful creation, who gives her heart to others, who brings joy to those closest to her. In my vows, I committed to loving her as Christ loved the church, and to honoring and cherishing each day more and more. In her vows, she committed to being my helpmate and giving her love to me in an equal way. I was overjoyed at her words; my heart was so melted that I shed some tears and let my jubilant emotions out.

God first sent me on a journey with her after colliding into her at a young adult service. We had a God-inspired connection, just one of those attractions that led us to be mutually eager to learn more about each other. I invited her to be a part of a homeless outreach I was building, and she agreed. She ended up making breakfast burritos that my friends and I would deliver to the downtown homeless. Our first date was a Fourth of July outreach for the homeless. We ended up collaborating on a summer picnic for the Norfolk needy that sealed our love.

In the process of building this love, God has spoken to me and led me in many different ways, primarily for me to be more selfless than I ever thought I could be, or at least was willing to be. I was called into a role of being a comforter and working out our issues—and brokenness—through prayer and asking God to step in.

Through Rebekah, I have learned much about the Lord’s plan for us, His creation, in how He puts man and woman together for a special purpose. I’ve learned about His provision of bringing a helpmate to my life. I’ve learned about love and how deep it must be to prevail—and how deep God’s love really is and just how sacrificial Christ’s love was for us.

There was one point where I had some doubts, because our futures seemed (and still do) on different paths. But I knew then, as I know now, that God had placed us together, had given us a love, and that we were to move forward as He willed, to begin a joint journey, wherever that was to lead.

I stand now looking at a what will be a lifetime with one woman, one of the greatest commitments one can make. The commitment to one closes so many doors, but it also opens the way to a multitude of unexpected blessings that outdo so many of those doors, further bringing shape to God’s plan for oneness out of two people. I know that as we progress in our journey, there will be challenges, but I am confident that with Christ as the center and His Spirit always leading and guiding, we will endure until He calls us up to join Him in the heavens.

God, we thank You for this love. May You continue to join us all, in Your will and way, to that one who is willing to be our helpmate and sacrifice as You scarified. In Jesus Name, Amen.