When people get married, they enter a covenant. Promises are made. Sometimes they commit to standard, boiler-plate vows like, “I take you as my lawfully wedding husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part…” Other times personalized vows are written and recited as part of the ceremony.

My husband claims that I promised to laugh at all his jokes, as part of my wedding vows. What I actually said, much more poetically, was that I would join him in laughter when he found joy.

Whatever the specific promises made, when it comes to a marriage, none of it matters as long as one thing is present: love.

The vow to love overrides all other vows. If I love my husband, I will automatically join him in laughter when he finds joy. (I will probably laugh at his jokes too.) If I love someone, any vows to stay faithful are included as part of that love. Love doesn’t care about wealth or poverty, sickness or health. Love just loves.

God made a covenant with His people, like a marriage. Many vows were made. The Israelites broke them all. So God made a new covenant and sent Jesus to help us hold up our end. When asked which vow was most important, Jesus quoted this verse:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭5,‬ ‭CSB)‬‬

Love is the only command that matters. If I love God, I will strive to do things that please Him, not things that upset Him. If I love God, I will spend time getting to know Him. I will read what He wrote, appreciate His beautiful creation, admire His wisdom, and love who He loves.

Dear God, thank you for wanting to be in a covenant relationship with me. There doesn’t seem to be much in it for you, while I receive salvation and eternal life. Thank you for providing all the love that our relationship requires, and even more love so that it overflows into all my relationships. Teach me how to be generous with your love.