Comparison, Weddings, God's Glory, Contentment....

Contentment is the arch-enemy of comparison.
I wish I could say I have mastered the art of not comparing myself to others... but I haven't.
Social media doesn't help the situation.
Neither does planning a wedding.

I never make New Year's Resolutions. It's not that I think there's anything wrong with them. I've just never gotten into it.
This new year I decided to do something different.
As I was spending time in confession I noticed a pattern... (and I'm just being transparent here.)
I realized that 100% of the sin in my life boiled down to one tragic decision:

I was fighting for my glory- not God's.

I had to confess and repent of fighting for my glory, for my approval, and for my pride. 

If in every area of my life I fought for God's glory instead of my own, my sin would die because the urge to gratify myself would die. The urge to seek my own glory would die.

It was this day I decided to have a prayer for 2014. 

My prayer is to fight for God's glory in absolutely every area of my life. 

If I can do this...I will have joy incomparable. Satisfaction undeniable. Contentment unshakable.

So what does this have to do with a wedding? 

It's really easy to compare my future wedding with everyone else's. 

It's easy to second guess the location, the time, the colors, the reception, the decor (everything but my Groom). 

It's easy to get overwhelmed with all the decisions, to-do lists, and costs.
The funny thing is... I only get overwhelmed when I am comparing myself to others.  

The moment I find myself doing so I must stop and fight for God's glory. 

I must stop comparing myself and focus on the rich ways in which God has blessed me. 

Comparison is a joy-stealer. Contentment is a joy-giver.

You see, when I become overwhelmed with wedding details, I am not fighting for the glory of God. I'm fighting for the glory of Jordan.
I am letting small things outshine the one great thing: Jesus.

I want to be overwhelmed with God's grace in giving Kaleb and I the gift of marriage. 

I want to be overwhelmed with the joy of sharing a special day with people we love. 

I want to be overwhelmed at the picture Kaleb and I will paint of the Church. 

I'm over having a wedding centered around me.

I'm over a wedding centered around MY glory. 

Because at the end of the day, I will undoubtedly be disappointing.
More of "me" leads not to joy, satisfaction or contentment. 

I don't think it is a coincidence I am planning a wedding in 2014 and God specifically led me to fight for His glory in 2014... (not that I shouldn't always but I feel it's a major theme this go-around.)

My prayer is that first and foremost I will fight for God's glory on my wedding day. 

It is one of the best pictures of the Church we have. 

A beautiful gift centered around the most important thing: The Gospel.

Marrying another sinner and seeking their gain... writing off their wrongs and celebrating their rights...

I do not want to cloud such an occasion with my selfishness.

God is holy, pure, beautiful, righteous and worthy of all worship. 

I pray THAT is what people see on "my" wedding day. 

He must increase, I must decrease. John 3:30
It's not about me.