MARRIAGE IN THE NOONTIDE HEAT

There’s a song that we used to sing at Camp Wyldewood in Searcy, Arkansas that used a phrase I never understood which was: “A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way, from the burning of the noontide heat and the burden of the day.”  After Ebenezer’s wedding last Saturday in the pre-rainy season heat of Abuja, I appreciate this phrase more than ever.  In the sweltering assembly hall of the Lugbe believers off of Airport Road in Abuja, Ebenezer Udofia and Regina were married.  Ebenezer’s best man and Regina’s maid of honor were constantly fanning the hot bride and groom because of the high temperatures within the venue.  Nevertheless, after 5 hours in this hot house of marital celebration, Ebenezer and Regina deeply appreciated the wide participation in their union.

It’s important to note the ultra-conservative nature of the saints within Nigeria that believe that weddings inside houses of worship are unscriptural.  However, Ebenezer and Regina wanted full involvement from all disciples in Abuja to demonstrate the viability of such an event.  Interestingly, there were some followers there who ordinarily offer long treatises on the lack of scriptural support for such a celebration in the assembly hall of a local congregation.  Yet, as the acapella singing began, there were no cries of scriptural illegitimacy that could be heard within the venue.  Everyone seemed to be fully engaged in an event where all believers felt comfortable celebrating the unification of Ebenezer and Regina.

Still, the greatest witness to Ebenezer and Regina’s wedding was its simplicity.  A cultural factor in many Nigerian weddings is witnessed as young couples spend more money than they can afford.  In fact, often Nigerian weddings are overwhelming displays of ostentation that appear to be nonsensical in a context of poverty.  Nonetheless, Ebenezer and Regina’s wedding was simple because it was held in an assembly hall for believers with no electricity.  The only power entering the building was from a small gasoline generator that amplified the sound system.

The other impressive characteristic of Ebenezer and Regina’s wedding was the socio-economic diversity of those who attended.  In the Nigerian context, brides and grooms typically invite highly-placed people in the society who will create an aura of prestige.  Therefore, at a typical Nigerian wedding, politicians, traditional rulers, and religious leaders often come late arriving with much fanfare.  Yet, at Ebenezer and Regina’s wedding, the well-dressed sat with those clothed in casual attire.  Actually, there were also several Muslims in the environment who felt respected by the front seats given them.

The wedding of Ebenezer and Regina was a powerful testimony to a couple committed to values of faith in a hot environment.  Any new marriage which puts the Almighty first will gain tremendous blessing despite the climactic conditions in which they find themselves.  Husbands and wives committed to simple living will avoid the multiple pitfalls of our wealth-driven world.  A God-fearing couple will give honor to those from poor and affluent backgrounds.  Faith, simplicity, and empowering the poor are the key concerns of INTERCEP which will now only be augmented through this couple committed to the Most-Compassionate.

Ebenezer and Regina – Wedding Cake

Wedding Party