Today, December 19th, is our 9th wedding anniversary!
Earlier in the week, we were able to have an overnight date and let me tell you, it was worth every single penny we gave to our babysitter! 😉 Last night, we stayed up very late watching our wedding video! I was thankful to hear (again) the godly advice that was spoken over us by our officiating minister, Greg Allen. Here is what he said,
“The greatest relationship of all times is that of Jesus Christ and His Church and He has given you two the privilege of showing the world what that relationship looks like…
The Bible refers to Jesus as the groom and He calls the Church the bride. And Jesus loves His church and the Church loves her groom. Throughout your marriage, you demonstrate that truth to everyone who is watching.
Jason, in your marriage you are portraying Christ. So the way you treat Darby will tell the world how Jesus would treat the Church. Jesus will always tell the truth and He will always be faithful to the Church. So you, Jason, should always tell Darby the truth and be faithful to her as long as you live. That saves marriage and it brings glory to Jesus. Christ died and gave His all for the Church… so you are to do for Darby.
Darby, you are portraying the Church. So, the way you act towards Jason should tell the world how the Church should act towards Christ. The Church recognizes the position of Christ and gives Him ultimate respect. Now we all know that Jason has not died for your sins to be forgiven, only Jesus deserves our ultimate respect, but as you submit to Jason, as he gives his all for you, you will show the world how we respond to Jesus. And the Church responds with gratitude and with joy. And so you are to respond to Jason with gratitude and joy.”
On my wedding day, I wasn’t mature enough to hear the entirety of Mr. Allen’s words. Even now, being only nine years into marriage, I can’t completely grasp the full weight of his message. Yet, as I reflect on the challenge that was set before me on my wedding day, the words “gratitude” and “joy” leave me humbled.
I tend to focus my attention on the act of submission and the attitude of respect that I wholly gloss over having gratitude and joy!
Could it be that all of these years I have gotten the equation backwards?!
On more than one occasion, submission and respect have been difficult for me (certainly a lot harder than I ever thought they would be). Looking back on those times today, I can see that my submission and respect were given without appreciation and delight!
If I focus less on the cliché Christian-wife words and more on cultivating genuine gratitude and joy, then perhaps submission and respect will come as a natural overflow?!
If we, as wives, submit to our husbands, but do it without the right attitude… all is lost. If we strive to be submissive wives, but are not joyful wives, do we truly reflect the Church and her love for Jesus?Will you join me in switching your focus from submission and respect to gratitude and joy?
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