JANUARY 28, Proverbs 16:3 

“Hold still, Mary,” instructed Mrs Ng. She was fitting Mary, who was going to take part in her cousin Sally’s wedding, for a junior bridesmaid dress.

“Sally showed me the wedding ring she got for Dan,” confided Mary. “I like jewellery.” “A wedding ring isn’t just jewellery,” said Mrs Ng. “Engagement and wedding rings have special meaning.”

Mary nodded. “Everyone knows an engagement ring means a guy and a girl are going to get married. I know one girl who got china instead of an engagement ring, though.” “Rings aren’t necessary,” agreed Mrs Ng, “but they are a nice part of tradition. Can you guess the special meaning of the wedding rings?”

“I have heard the circle stands for unending love, and that it means  ‘married forever,’” replied Mary, “but I think it just means you are married because many people do not stay married forever.” Mrs Ng sighed. “I know,” she said, “and that is not good.”

“What church and Sunday school do you attend?” asked Mrs Ng. “Actually, I haven’t gone for a long time,” admitted Mary. “We sleep in on Sundays.”

“Oh,I am sorry to hear that,”replied Mrs Ng.She shook her head.“You know, Mary, we have been talking about wedding traditions such as wearing the symbolic rings. The rings are nice, but the couple also needs to be fully committed to working at the relationship to strengthen it. In a similar way, Christians must also be truly committed to working at their relationship with God, or they don’t become stronger spiritually.”

“And going to church and Sunday school is the way to work at that relationship?” asked Mary. “It is just one way,” said Mrs Ng. “When you accepted Jesus as Saviour, that was a ‘forever’ heart-commitment. That doesn’t change, but such things as prayer, reading and obeying God’s Word, and church attendance will help you grow closer to the Lord.”

Thought: Do you know the right words, like “saved” and “eternal life,” but forget the responsibilities of commitment to God?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be a committed Christian. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.