Marriage
A week ago, Katie and I celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary - which was the fastest 10 years of my life. (I promise Katie likes that joke, at least I think). That first year is like a roller coaster of highs and lows, things you say and do right and things you say and do incredibly wrong. You learn so much more about someone when they are with you every day, sharing life's highs and lows, crying and laughing.
I'm reminded about the closeness - or lack thereof - with our relationship with Christ. This is another relationship needs to be nourished daily; with as much commitment as we can muster. In Ephesians, Paul instructs us to submit to one another and love each other sacrificially (Ephesians 5:21-33).
As followers of Christ, we are privileged to witness and experience this divine love in the context of our relationship with Him. Our relationship with God involves a spiritual union, where we become one with Him through faith. Just as a husband and wife commit themselves to each other, God's love for us is steadfast and unwavering. He never breaks His promises and remains faithfully devoted to us.
The main component to that of a godly marriage is sacrificial love. The Bible instructs husbands to love their wives just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Jesus, the perfect example of sacrificial love, laid down His life for us on the cross. This selfless act demonstrates the depth of God's love, as He willingly paid the price for our redemption.
Similarly, in marriage, sacrificial love requires setting aside personal desires and priorities for the well-being of one's spouse. It involves placing their needs above our own, making sacrifices, and seeking their good. This mirrors God's love for us, as He consistently puts our needs above His own. His unconditional love compels Him to shower us with grace, forgiveness, and blessings.
Furthermore, marriage is a journey of growing in intimacy. As a husband and wife spend time together, communicate, and share their lives, their connection deepens. Similarly, God invites us into a relationship of intimacy with Him. He desires us to know Him intimately, to seek His presence through prayer, study of His Word, and worship. As we draw closer to God, we experience His profound love and find fulfillment in His presence.
Just as a marriage requires trust, God invites us to trust Him completely. Marriage partners place their trust in each other, relying on their promises and faithfulness. In our walk with God, we must trust that His plans for us are good, even when circumstances are challenging. We can find peace in knowing that His love for us is unchanging, and He will guide us through every season of life.