Today's dare introduces the fact that it is impossible for us to unconditionally love our spouse 100% of the time. There are times when resentment, reactions, self-pity or annoyance can surface. Sure, we squash them as soon as we realise, but you see the point: we are flawed human beings.
We have self-preservation built into us. There are times when unconditional love is not quite as automatic as we want it to be. We are not God. It is impossible for us.
Only God can do the impossible. But the good news is that He CAN!
So today's dare is to put our lives into His hands. To allow Him the rule in our lives so that He can transform us. God in me can unconditionally love Liz. I can't do it on my own.
This is another reminder of the need our marriage has for God to be actively, deliberately included in our partnership. We need Him at the centre. We need Him in everything we do. Our first loyalty needs to be toward Him, then our loyalty to each other can be more complete.
Worshipping together, praying together, trusting together, these are all necessities.
But first it must start individually. If I don't have Christ on the throne of my heart, I don't have Him anywhere.
After a lifetime of loving and serving God, often in a leadership role, and culminating in the role of Pastor for about 8 years, I came to a major crash in my life. I made certain compromises. I pulled out of the church I was in.
It became easy, as a church-goer without leadership commitments, to wax and wane like the moon in my attendance. It became easier to sleep in than get up for church. Because I had made my compromises, it also became easier for a time to avoid time with God. I could sing His songs but I didn't really maintain my relationship with Him.
It has been a long road back. I am still inconsistent in my church attendance. But I love to pray and to worship. I am writing songs again, a sure sign that I am closer to Him. But I need Him more every day. I need His input and His unconditional love flowing through me.
God has brought about wonderful changes in our marriage, especially in our communication and in drawing us closer together. I would be a fool to think we can do it without Him. We basically did that for a time, and nearly lost everything.
I am now committed and committing myself more and more to God's leadership and direction. I need Him. We need Him. And this time I'm not going to let go.
I love my God. I love my wife. I love our family. They need me to love with His IMPOSSIBLE love. Unconditionally.
You really needed to pull yourself out of the church you were in and the role you had... both were severly damaging your family and you.
ReplyDeleteNow, it's just a matter of leading your children & family to Christ by example and church attendance (yes, even those not at home). We all NEED a spiritual leader but we don't really have one still :(