In 1969, "Paul" (Noel Paul Stookey) of the singing trio "Peter, Paul, and Mary" wrote a song for Peter's wedding. Peter asked him to bring some "inspiration" to the ceremony. Noel prayed to God about it and the words came to him immediately. He wrote them down as the Spirit dictated and then translated them into third person so it wouldn't sound like he was personally claiming to be the Second Coming. (There is a version of him on YouTube singing it in God's original words, with him explaining.)
Noel has never felt right about receiving royalties for this particular song because he believes that God is the author and not him. It was a huge hit, so he created a charitable organization to spend the royalties.
The words of this song are profound. "He" refers to God:
There is Love, there is Love.
And there is Love, there is Love.
Oh there is Love, there is Love.
There is Love, there is Love.
Is there a better way to describe a wedding and, indeed, a marriage than "the calling of your hearts"? It is "calling" all in attendance to join in this sacred moment when love is celebrated. It is "calling" the two at the altar to become one. In fact the song continues, "they shall travel on to where the two shall be as one." There is a lot of scriptural imagery in this song. In this sacred moment, God is promising, "I am now to be among you." And the "union of your spirits here has caused Me to remain." The imagery of a union of spirits has a hint of eternity doesn't it? And he says that whenever two or more are gathered in His name, there He will be also. One of the reasons we get married is that God has promised to be with us whenever two or more are gathered in His name. What are these times? Family prayer, the dinner table, the marital bed and countless others.
There is more I could say about the lyrics of "There is Love." I'll let you discover them for yourself. The message that this song leaves me with is that the love of a man and woman is holy. It is sanctified in marriage, and has the potential to exalt us to a higher plane of existence. Do most marriages live up to this? No. Most involve a pretty large quantity of bickering and dissatisfaction. So how can we live up to our privileges? With intention. Instead of just letting life happen, decide together what marriage is, and intentionally try to behave differently. When we have something special, we treat it differently. We separate the holy from the common and treat holy things with more care. Your spouse is not just someone to provide money, a home, or help you with tasks. As meaningful as those things can be for each other, your spouse is more than that. He or she is your king or queen--and the person with whom you will explore all the heights and depths of eternity.
To mid-singles, I suggest pondering deeply about the presence of God in marriage--the union of your spirits as well as your bodies, and becoming one with each other and with the Creator. The rest of the world may not see anything special about either a wedding or a marriage. I encourage you to see the deeply profound purpose and meaning in it--and look forward with joyful anticipation. Thinking of it this way will lead you to better choices.
You were young once and longed for this joy. You believed in it and believed you were meant for it. As the song says:
Or love that brings you life?
Love is what brings us to a wedding, and physical love is what gives life to children. In a larger sense, love IS the life force in the universe. The opportunity to create that transcendent experience with one special person is bigger and more majestic than anything in the way.
Think on it, and dream on!
