It’s a Lock

They looked as if they were out for a lover’s stroll, but in reality they were moving purposefully toward a destination. As they neared the Bastion Hill pedestrian bridge, the young Latvian man reached into his pocket and retrieved a simple padlock, only unusual in the initials and wedding date freshly engraved on its surface. His pretty new wife smiled at him as they mounted the bridge. Together they fastened the lock to the railing, turning the key to secure it in place. After a kiss for good measure, they jointly tossed the key into the water below.

This custom is a charming and romantic way Latvian newlyweds express their unending devotion to each other. The tradition has recently begun to spread into many countries around the globe. I love the graphic picture of eternal commitment it affords.

God has that kind of commitment toward us.

He has expressed a deep love for those who are His. “I have loved you with an everlasting love,” he told Israel through the prophet Jeremiah. “Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.” (Isaiah 49:15-16, NASB)

Like a padlock fastened to a bridge railing, we have a symbol guaranteeing our lover’s devotion. “Having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance.” (Ephesians 1:13) The Holy Spirit’s permanent presence in our lives assures us that nothing will threaten our standing with God. He is committed- he has snapped shut the lock and tossed away the key-thus demonstrating his intentions to keep us as his.

Another sign of his commitment is in the transformational work He is doing in us. “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus,” Paul told the Philippians. “We all… are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NASB)

About 12 years ago, we moved into the house we now call home. Since that time, we have slowly made what once belonged to someone else truly ours. The front of the house now has a pretty covered front porch with two rockers and a new front door. A screened in porch was added to the back to provide outdoor dining and seating. Old, overgrown bushes have been replaced with new landscaping and colorful flower beds. On the inside, almost every surface has been replaced: wallpaper stripped, walls painted, and carpeting replaced. The old owners would barely recognize it if they were to visit. We have made this home ours in every sense of the word.

I hate moving. I wearily told Steve as we carried boxes into this house back in 1999: “I hope you like it here. Because I am only leaving in a pine box.” We moved in with the intention of staying at least until we retire. Investing reasonable time and resources into this house, therefore, makes perfect sense.

God has demonstrated his dedication by investing a great deal in us. It cost the life of his only Son to initially seal the deal. He then gave us a new nature, liberating us from the bondage of sin and creating new life within us. He provided spiritual abilities with which to serve him and the Holy Spirit to teach and guide. He continually strengthens and empowers us as we wait on Him. The list goes on and on, but you get the point. The evidence of His commitment is as palpable as a padlock fastened to a bridge.

“I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” Isaiah 49:23, NASB