More Than A Wedding Day

Linda Thomas is our guest blogger today--what a treat. She brings us her message, an analogy of marriage. All the girly-things we love and being the bride of Christ...a relationship that should be growing stronger every day. 

More Than A Wedding Day

Who doesn't love a beautiful, romantic wedding? Especially us girls! I, for one, am a complete girly-girl. I love all the foo-foo, frilly, feminine things that make being female such FUN. (Alliteration overkill?) Oh well!

From high tea at the Grand Floridian...

 

...to princess parties and ballet...

 

to my fairytale wedding day on a Caribbean island…

 

I simply adore being a girl. In fact, next to Christmas, my favorite holiday is Valentine's Day; because in my girly ways I love the whole idea of love itself.

But candidly, if I were to hang my hat on this thinking, it would not be healthy at all. Being in love with love doesn't bode well for enduring the relational difficulties and conflict that are sure to arise. To put it bluntly, a lover of love won't care as much about the person as much as what that person can do for them.

As I was lunching with a friend this week, she made a sweet and meaningful analogy about our relationship with Christ. In a nutshell, it's this:

Coming to faith in Christ = wedding day
Ongoing relationship with Christ = marriage

Frequently it seems many Christians associate their testimony with their "wedding day" when they first came to Christ. But in reality, we are to have an ongoing testimony - a marriage relationship with Christ - that will continue to grow and thrive and transform us over time.

Now to be fair, it's absolutely a blast, and even important, to reflect on our "wedding day" when we came to Christ. Just as those of us who are married reflect on our wedding day - sometimes in an effort to rekindle that first love we had for one another. But let's also make sure we aren't simply in love with love where Christ is concerned. Ask yourself:

Am I in this relationship because of what Jesus can do for me?
When I do what he asks of me, do I expect him to do something good for me in return?
When things go poorly, do I turn my back on him?
Am I striving to cultivate a relationship with Jesus; to really know him more?

If our only testimony is to tout how awesome our wedding day was, it's time to get busy building the testimony of our marriage relationship. After all, it's during the daily ups and downs; joys and heartaches; victories and failures where true intimacy happens - and the true love story comes to life. Our relationship with Jesus is to be an ongoing testimony of an on-fire love life. And that's what this girly girl finds both irresistibly attractive and delightfully satisfying about life with Jesus. It's so much more than a wedding day...

I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bride with her jewels. {Isaiah 61:10}

Linda

Linda Thomas is the author of a 6-week Bible study titled, In Step with the Spirit – A life of passion,power, and purpose. Having been set free from decades of sin and shame, Linda’s love for God has developed into an unwavering commitment to understand and apply God’s word with simplicity to the real, and often difficult, circumstances of life. She resides in Indianapolis, IN, with her husband Mick; and is a loving mom and stepmom to Jensen (now serving in the U.S. Air Force), Jordan, Noelle, Ben, and Lauren.

Visit my blog: http://somethingbeautiful-bylinda.blogspot.com/

 

The Three R's - Part Two - "Are We Okay?"

As I mentioned, I have been anxious for three couples in marital difficulties. Upon hearing the news of marriage #3 being in danger I looked at my husband and asked, “Are we okay?”
Everything that felt sure and safe suddenly felt wobbly and weak. I needed his assurance that our relationship was strong because of the shocking news. After all if it could happen to other Christian couples maybe it could sneak up on us as well.

In the past several weeks I find myself appreciating my husband more than ever. I think he must be thinking similar things because he has been even more attentive and showing his love in lots of little ways. One thing I have learned in watching these other relationships is that I should take nothing for granted. Marriage is hard work—it is something we have to strive to keep healthy by communicating with one another and putting one another first.

I wonder how I can put into practice the messages in the letter to Philemon as I watch these marriage relationships disintegrate. One's divorce is already final—I don't believe God is done there—but I know it can seem like hope has died. The other two are spiraling fast. Can God restore them? Absolutely! But, the people involved need to be willing. Paul shows this in verses eight and nine when he writes to Philemon about doing the right thing in regard to Onesimus.

I don't know if I can be like Paul and somehow share just the right words to cause a change of heart in another person. But, if given the chance I will try. Paul's message of redemption, restoration and reconciliation is really the message of the Gospel. It isn't new, but it is fresh for every situation. And, I believe with my whole heart that His Word holds fresh truth for today's messes. That's why it is called daily bread. Fresh bread to meet the needs of hungry hearts.

I would love to hear your stories of hope. Have the Three R's made a difference in your life and heart?

Till next time,

Jeanne

Restoration - Are You Willing?

All around me, marriages are crumbling—long standing marriages of friends and family members. I feel blindsided by the news and watch as divorces become final, and couples crumble. I keep thinking, God can restore these relationships, and He can. But, people need to be willing in order for Him to step in and begin the process of mending. Relationships are complicated and love must be cultivated in order to survive the onslaught of enemy fire. Make no mistake, Satan wants to destroy families. He wants to see relationships die—he chortles in victory every time he successfully darkens the hearts and deadens the minds of God's people.

I need you to know that I am grappling with my next blog post, dealing with restoration and reconciliation. God wants us to be reconciled with Himself and one another. And, humanly, that is a very tricky business. Ultimately it means dying to self.

The question is, are we willing?
Marriages are only one little aspect to this topic, but it is one that is on my mind and heart.

More to follow....in the meantime, pray for those who need to experience the restoring power of God.