Last year, I shared what I learned while preparing for my wedding. Ā Well, my husband and I have enjoyed nine months of wedded bliss since I posted this. Ā Honestly, we’re still waiting for it to become true that “it goes by fast.” Ā We feel like we’ve been married for our entire lives, even though it’s only been a few months. Ā 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. Ā Right around that time, my husband and I had started a Bible plan on YouVersion called “Your Home Matters.”Ā 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. Ā 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. Ā Just as Christ is faithful to us, we are called to be faithful to one another. Ā Just as Christ sacrificed His life for us, we are to consider each other more important than ourselves. Ā 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. Ā 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 putĀ moreĀ effort into preparing for the second coming of Christ, but we have to start somewhere!). Ā 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. Ā 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. Ā 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:Ā Every night before bed, we turn to each other and say a prayer for our marriage, our jobs, and our walks with Christ. Ā Hearing my husband’s heart for me and his desire for my well-being grows me closer to him.
- Open communication:Ā Whenever we have a problem, we talk about it right away. Ā 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. Ā However, my relationship with Jesus willĀ alwaysĀ be. Ā Jesus isĀ foreverĀ faithful to me, and He has granted me eternal life with Him. Ā So, considering I’m going to be spending the rest of forever with Jesus, I should beĀ constantlyĀ 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. Ā 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:Ā Prayer is open communication to God. Ā Be honest with Him. Ā Even if you’re struggling to get out of bed, wishing you didn’t have work…share your heart with God. Ā Then, listen to what He says. Ā Read the Bible (which records what God has said and continues to speak to us today). Ā Be still and wait patiently for His peace.
- Community:Ā We were never meant to do life alone. Ā God created us for community. Ā 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. Ā 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). Ā Are you ready for the ultimate marriage ceremony?
Photo byĀ Thomas CurryerĀ onĀ Unsplash
