Last year, I shared what I learned while preparing for my wedding. Well, my husband and I have enjoyed nine months of wedded bliss since I posted this. Honestly, we’re still waiting for it to become true that “it goes by fast.” We feel like we’ve been married for our entire lives, even though it’s only been a few months. I’m not sure what that means, but we’re loving it!
The post I wrote last year showed up on my Facebook memories about a week ago. Right around that time, my husband and I had started a Bible plan on YouVersion called “Your Home Matters.” Up until the very end of the plan (where they used the wrong verse to make a point), my husband and I appreciated the encouragement that this plan offers to have a more intentional view of marriage. God has a bigger plan for us as a couple, and that plan is much bigger than ourselves.
On our wedding day, we made a vow to love each other and be faithful to each other until death separates us. Just as Christ is faithful to us, we are called to be faithful to one another. Just as Christ sacrificed His life for us, we are to consider each other more important than ourselves. Just as the Holy Spirit helps us live as God wants us to live, we are called to help each other and guide each other to the Truth.
And although I say “just as,” God is way more faithful than we can ever be; when we fall short, God does not. We can praise God when our spouses show us faithfulness, and we can praise God when our spouses miss the mark.
I challenged you to put just as much effort into preparing for the second coming of Christ as you do into planning for a wedding (obviously, you should put more effort into preparing for the second coming of Christ, but we have to start somewhere!). My new challenge is to put just as much effort, if not more, into your relationship with Christ as you do in investing in your marriage. In addition to this, we should aim to emulate our love for Christ in our marriage.
Here’s how my husband and I invest in our marriage:
- Dedicated date time: We make time together an absolute priority. No matter what we do together, we make sure our phones are off, our minds are focused, and our conversations are centered around improving our relationship.
- Praying together: Every night before bed, we turn to each other and say a prayer for our marriage, our jobs, and our walks with Christ. Hearing my husband’s heart for me and his desire for my well-being grows me closer to him.
- Open communication: Whenever we have a problem, we talk about it right away. We constantly work to make communication more open and understandable between the two of us.
Unfortunately, when my husband and I die, our marriage will be over. However, my relationship with Jesus will always be. Jesus is forever faithful to me, and He has granted me eternal life with Him. So, considering I’m going to be spending the rest of forever with Jesus, I should be constantly trying to learn more about Him.
Here are some ways that we can grow closer to Christ in our daily lives:
- Dedicated devotional time: I have to admit, marriage makes it more difficult to find a set time to spend with the Lord. I usually listen to worship music on my drive to work, or I’ll read the Bible for a few minutes in the morning before I leave. Whatever amount of time you can give to God will be fruitful.
- Prayer: Prayer is open communication to God. Be honest with Him. Even if you’re struggling to get out of bed, wishing you didn’t have work…share your heart with God. Then, listen to what He says. Read the Bible (which records what God has said and continues to speak to us today). Be still and wait patiently for His peace.
- Community: We were never meant to do life alone. God created us for community. When we spend time with people who have surrendered their lives to Christ and seek to encourage us, we can appreciate how God works in and through them as well. This allows us to give glory to God for His power to redeem.
The Bible says that in the last days, the Church will be presented to Christ as a bride in fine linen (Revelation 19:7-8). Are you ready for the ultimate marriage ceremony?
Photo by Thomas Curryer on Unsplash
Elisabeth Warner 