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Showing posts with label Life Lessons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life Lessons. Show all posts
It was a cold and snowy winter’s night, thirteen years ago, that I wed my best friend. Yes, today (February 23) Andrea and I celebrate thirteen years of Marriage. And at least a few of those days have been filled with wedded bliss.
I married young, just a few days before my 22 birthday. Although I have been married 38% of my life, and have known Andrea for 50%; I must admit, marriage still confounds me. I tell the couples in pre-marital care classes that marriage has to be an institution the came from the mind of God.
For who in their right mind would decide that a man and woman, who came from totally different backgrounds and experiences should come together for life and raise a family. Yes, it does sound a little bit crazy.
In fact, the Apostle Paul thought so to. Listen to how the Apostle Paul describes it in Ephesians 5:32 “This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit calls marriage a mystery. ——— But why? Why would he do this?
Because marriage is so much more than two people living together. Instead, it is the joining of two lives into one. But even more amazing than that —> Marriage is an illustration, a living word picture of how Jesus Christ loves His Church! How He Loves You!
It is through this special union of husband and wife that God chooses to reveal Himself to the world. Ephesians 5:32 tells us, that a chief purpose in God creating marriage was to provide a living word picture for all to see His Perfect Love for His Imperfect Bride.
This is a foundational reason why marriage matters. Why, as children of Kings of Kings, we should care, protect, support, and honor marriage. Our own marriage, and the union of others.
As a husband loves his wife with an unconditional, sacrificial, love of action, especially when she may not deserve it. This love points to love much different than most are used to; it displays a love much greater than one is capable of having themselves. This Love points to Christ’s love for us.
As a wife respects and submits to her husband with the same unconditional, sacrificial, love of action, this too illustrates how the Church, the people of God, are to respect and submit to the headship of Christ. — Marriage is not about you or me — like everything else in life. Marriage is all about God, and His rescue, redemption, and restoration of people everywhere.
Jesus said in John 13:5 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” I John 4:19 says “We love because he first loved us.” This type of love and respect husbands and wives are to have for one another — can never flow from within their own spirits. Rather, it must flow from Christ’s; from His love given to us. From a daily bathing in His grace, mercy, gospel, and love.
And as His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, applies this great love to our hearts, he enables us to extend it to others — even our spouse. As we do, the world watches and in a tangible way sees true love, God’s love for them. Marriage by a mystery, but one that points to something much greater than ourselves — the love of Christ.
Yet, marriage not only teaches the outside world Christ’s love; our own marriage teaches us. This is what God has gracious done in my life over the last 13 years. He has used our marriage to draw myself and Andrea into a deeper understanding and appreciation of Christ’s Love and Sacrifice, as well as my sinfulness and redemption.
I realize that I have only begun to mine depth of the wisdom found in marriage that many of you carry — but would like to sharing few things God has taught me through my marriage.
In my marriage I have learned… the depth of God’s forgiveness. Daily I see Andrea extending me forgiveness, when I do hurtful things or stupid things to her. Even when I do the same things to her over again, she forgives me. I don’t deserve it; but she does it anyway. How I daily need to extend her forgiveness; even when she does hurtful, stupid, same things to me. I forgive her. She doesn’t deserve it; but I need to do it anyway.
This regular pattern reminds and teaches me about Christ’s forgiveness. How He forgives willingly all the hurtful and stupid things I do time and time again. How I never deserve it —> but He does it anyway; and how His forgiveness is far sweeter then anything on earth.
In my marriage I have learned… the wideness of God’s Grace. Daily I see Andrea extending me grace when I am crabby, stressed, or in a bad mood. How she chooses to look at the positive side of things, extending me love and understanding; even when my action and attitudes don’t deserve it. It has shown me how I need to treat her the same way.
This too has taught me how wide God’s Grace is; for there is nothing too large it can’t cover, nothing I have done that He will not forgive; even if I wouldn’t forgive it, He will. It reminds me how I do not deserve anything He has, is, or will do for me.
In my marriage I have learned… the expanse of God’s Love. I have seen Andrea’s love stretch much further than I thought possible; reaching over my sin, selfishness, and stupidity. I have experienced my love for her in the same way; growing, flowing, moving me to do things for her I never would have imagined. This continues to illustrate God Love; a love far greater than I am capable of possessing myself; His love is so great for me, that nothing is too far from its reach.
In my marriage I have learned… the meaning of God’s sacrifice. For 13 years I have seen Andrea give up her needs and desires for mine; and I have been stretched to do the same. Fighting against my selfish desires, thoughts, speech, and deeds; giving up the me - for the we. In this, I have grown in understand of how amazing Christ’s sacrifice is. How much it cost Him; and how much I need it.
Finally, In my marriage I have learned… I can’t do it with out Jesus. I find it hard to forgive at times; but Jesus always forgive me. He helps me to forgive, and He forgives through me. I can’t love my wife all the time, and she can’t love me always either. But Jesus always loves me. He gives me the capacity to love, and He loves my wife through me. I do not always want to sacrifice for Andrea; but Jesus has sacrificed everything for me. He compels and empowers me to do the same.
I can’t do it without Jesus —> But with Him all things are possible. Even being married to me. Through this imperfect relationship called Marriage - His Love, Grace, and Sacrifice are on display for all to see.
May your marriage draw you into a closer, more intimate relationship with Christ, and a deeper understanding of his love and grace.
Labels: 1 John 4:19, Christ, Church, Crossed Love, Ephesians 5, Forgiveness, Gospel, Grace, John 13:5, Lessons, Lessons form Marriage, Life Lessons, Love, Marriage
Yes, I was duly warned. My older sister was very clear in her explanation and warnings to me. Vanilla Extract does not taste good. Over and over again she admonished me, telling me not to drink it. But I refused to believe her. It just can’t be. I knew that it enhanced the flavor of many goodies my mother baked, and besides it smelled so good. She must be wrong, or worse yet she doesn’t want me to enjoy this treat.
It wasn’t long before the pleasant aroma had convinced me. My sister must be wrong, How can something that smells so good be as bad as she describes? Besides, I could nearly taste the Vanilla on my lips. I raised the plastic bottle to my mouth and took a giant sized gulp. It never made it to my stomach. As soon as the liquid touched my tongue, I spewed it out and quickly attempted to rid my mouth of that horrible taste.
Trying to control her laughter, my sister said with smile, “see I told you it tasted nothing like it smells.” Many, many years later, I find myself still asking the same question “how can something that smelled so good taste so bad.” I learned a valuable lesson that day, looks can be deceiving. I do take comfort in knowing that I am not the only one who has learned that lesson; Lot did as well.
In Genesis 13 Abraham and Lot had to part ways since their herds had gown too large to remain together. In verses eight and nine Abraham tells his nephew to choose where he would like to settle, and he, Abraham, would go in the opposite direction. He did just that; Genesis 13:10-11 says. Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east.
Yes, this land looked perfect. It was beautiful, large, and luscious; appearing to have everything Lot needed for his family and farm to be successful. However, instead of peace, growth, and success; his family experienced hardship, loss, and spiritual decay. It wasn’t long before war broke out in the region and Lot was captured; only to be rescued by Abraham.
Sodom and Gomorrah were wicked and immoral cities and eventually were destroyed. The hedonistic and depraved life modeled in these cities undoubtedly had a profound effect on Lot's children, who later got their father drunk and slept with him order to conceive. Lot lost everything, his wife who was turned to a pillar of salt, his home and farm which was consumed in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the spiritual life of his family. The land that looked so good, proved to be so bad. Looks can be deceiving.
What can we learn from Lot? What looks good to the eye, may not be good for the soul. Many things in life look appealing yet prove to be destructive. Seem innocent, yet rob our innocence. Physically appearing to offer the best life has, but causing spiritual decay and death. Let’s not be fooled by our flesh, captivated by the culture, or seduced by Satan; instead let us stand firm in our faith, letting God’s Word and His Spirit be our guide.
Labels: Abraham, Bad Taste, Bible, Christ, Deceived, Devotions, Genesis 13, Genesis 14, Genesis 19, God, Gomorrah, Jesus, Life Lessons, Lot, Sodom, Soul, Vanilla Extract
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