When I was a kid my mom and I visited a rummage sale. My memory is sketchy, but most likely mom was
looking for used clothing for us.
Several years ago I felt the Lord reminded me of the rummage sale to
instruct me regarding love in marriage.
I felt the Lord say to me, “Love her like you loved that rummage sale.”
Mom rummaged through the clothes
searching for something of value, something worth her children wearing. Likewise, in marriage, sometimes we have to
look past the “junk” in our spouse and see the eternal value of the person God
created.
We all bring a certain amount of
problems into marriage. We bring sin
issues, weaknesses, and fears. We may
have brought deep pain from childhood wounds into the relationship. We may bring in problems like anger, deep
insecurity, unresolved bitterness, or sinful attitudes. Things we may have thought had been resolved
rear their ugly heads.
Marriage is a great opportunity to
learn unconditional love. I am certainly
very far from perfect. Leslie has
imperfections too. But we love each
other and we are committed to each other no matter what. I am thankful that Leslie sees past my “junk”
and sees my potential in Christ.
Romans 5:8 says, “But God
demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.” When we were lost
in sin, God loved us. Even now, when we
are hurting, broken, or in sin, He sees that within us that is of eternal
value. And He redeems our pain, He heals
the brokenhearted. He sees our
potential. He draws the best out of
us. He does not look at us based on what
we are; He looks at us based on the spirit inside of us that Jesus died to
redeem.
Likewise, in marriage, it is my
responsibility as a husband to draw out the best in my wife. It’s my job to look at her and see her
potential. I’m called to love her as
Christ loved the church, to love her unconditionally. When I look at her, I must see her eternal
value, God’s eternal purpose for her life.
God is expanding the capacity of my heart to love as He loves. I’m not there yet, but I am learning.
Will you take the challenge, to
look past any “junk” in your spouse (or any other person) and, with God’s help
to learn to love as He does?
“Husbands, love your
wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He
might sanctify and cleanse her…”
Ephesians 5:25-26
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