We are commanded in His Word to submit to one another, to love each other more than ourselves, and to put Him first, above all else. I don't know about you, but those requirements seem impossible to me!
"... giving thanks always and for everything to the Father in the name of the Son, submitting to one another out of reverence for Him. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Father. For the husband is the head of the wife even as the Son is the head of the church, His body, and is Himself its Saving Grace. Now as the Body submits to Him, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as He loved the Body and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as He does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to the Son and the Body. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."
... And these things are impossible when it comes to my own strength.
The more I realize how weak I am on my own, the more I understand my need for the Father and His All-Powerful strength, unconditional love, and unending grace. Every day, I am challenged to love someone more than I love myself. Sometimes it comes naturally, but many times I find myself wanting to give in to my own desires and comfort level by choosing to ignore His command.
I often try to give Him lame reasons for not going out of my way to show His love to someone: I'm too tired. I'll be late for work! I don't have anything to say to that person. I don't like being around them. I'd rather stay home. Can't I just let someone else do that for them? I have way too much to do! In order for me to even begin obeying Him, it takes His guidance and strength. Whether that means reaching out of my comfort zone to serve a stranger, or spending an extra few minutes talking about Him with a coworker, the Father has called me to live my life in a way that reflects His love and points people to Him-- convenience shouldn't be an excuse!
And yet, even though I know it's wrong, I often still disobey that calling. I can't even obey Him without His help; I'm nothing on my own.
The more I realize how weak I am on my own, the more I understand my need for the Father and His All-Powerful strength, unconditional love, and unending grace. Every day, I am challenged to love someone more than I love myself. Sometimes it comes naturally, but many times I find myself wanting to give in to my own desires and comfort level by choosing to ignore His command.
I often try to give Him lame reasons for not going out of my way to show His love to someone: I'm too tired. I'll be late for work! I don't have anything to say to that person. I don't like being around them. I'd rather stay home. Can't I just let someone else do that for them? I have way too much to do! In order for me to even begin obeying Him, it takes His guidance and strength. Whether that means reaching out of my comfort zone to serve a stranger, or spending an extra few minutes talking about Him with a coworker, the Father has called me to live my life in a way that reflects His love and points people to Him-- convenience shouldn't be an excuse!
And yet, even though I know it's wrong, I often still disobey that calling. I can't even obey Him without His help; I'm nothing on my own.
Marriage is the perfect place to ask Him for the ability to love someone else more than you love yourself. Lately, I have been so caught up in my to-do list and things that need to be done for work and other areas of life that I have not been thinking of Jesse's desire to spend quality time with me. I know I haven't been offering my time and my entire being as a gift to him. Even though he has not said anything to make me realize that [he truly does love me unconditionally], I realized today that I have been acting awfully selfish.
I need to offer my submission as a gift, with nothing holding me back. I should have no excuses for showing Jesse love-- when I feel busy or when it is "inconvenient" for me, relying on the Father for the strength is absolutely necessary. I can't do it on my own! That might mean adjusting my Grad School homework time in order to allow for relaxing Sunday afternoons with Jesse. Or it may require asking the Father to give me the energy and ability to wake up a little earlier in the morning so Jesse and I can spend time together before the work day begins. It may even mean losing some sleep {What?!}.
I need to offer my submission as a gift, with nothing holding me back. I should have no excuses for showing Jesse love-- when I feel busy or when it is "inconvenient" for me, relying on the Father for the strength is absolutely necessary. I can't do it on my own! That might mean adjusting my Grad School homework time in order to allow for relaxing Sunday afternoons with Jesse. Or it may require asking the Father to give me the energy and ability to wake up a little earlier in the morning so Jesse and I can spend time together before the work day begins. It may even mean losing some sleep {What?!}.
However He chooses to direct me in loving and submitting to Jesse, I know my relationship with the Father will grow because of my complete reliance on Him, and I am thankful for the chance to use the privilege of marriage to love on my husband, ultimately pointing others to Him through our relationship.
“He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that His power may rest on me.” ~1 C. 12:9
My own understanding will not get me far. I cannot love Jesse as the Father has called me to do on my own strength. Trusting in Him is the only way love will be poured out of me, so I need to give all control over to Him. Marriage sure is a refining process, but that's what makes it so wonderful!
~Sara Teel