Vows

This past weekend I started writing my vows to Magnus. I sat down and looked at the traditional vows and then I started looking up Scripture. I had SOOO much fun with it (though it's not totally done). It was taking time to contemplated how I love him and what I'm going to be committing to him - more than just romantic, gooshy feelings, but biblical, deep, honest commitments to him. What could strengthen my love for Magnus then to think through how I love him and how God has called me to love him?
Yet, how often do I sit down and contemplate these things of God? How often do I sit down and read the ways God loves me? Or (harder still) how I should love God? How often do I think through what should be beyond the feelings, but be some of the practical outworking of my love for God? Not often, let me tell you!
I think it would be good to reminded that, as a Christian, you are not under condemnation (Romans 8:1), to know that God has written down our days (Psalm 139:16) so nothing takes him by surprise. How good it would be to look at God's description of himself as merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love (Exodus 34:6-7)?
I think my heart would be stayed a little by this, lightened, and strengthen through this. Anxiety and fear would dissipate, rest would ensue. We serve a wonderful God who has revealed much to us - much of how beautiful he is, especially in Jesus. Yet, this relationship needs strengthening and guarding. Let us learn to continue to keep our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2), that we may be encouraged and fall more in love with him.