I received an email from a Legacy Dad reader who gave me permission to share his testimony with all our readers. Thanks for the insight and wisdom Tim. - Lance
I can't begin to tell you what God has done in Kathy and my marriage.More than one time we were ready to end it. Particularly sometime lastyear, I was at a crossroad with a choice to be "free" or to save mymarriage. It was my decision to make becauseKathy had given me the ultimatum to choose between the two. She wentaway for the weekend with a girlfriend to give us both time to think.
I knew the choice of freedom was really a lie because real freedomonly comes from being in the center of God's will. And I knew God'splan would never be to "separate what He has joined together". (Matthew 19:6)
As we worked at restoring our relationship God reminded me of Ephesians5:25 which says; "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved thechurch and gave himself up for her". I had always been familiar withthe first part of this verse but it was the lastpart that caught my attention, "and gave himself up for her".
I had to ask, "What does it mean to give myself up for my wife"?
As I pondered this question I had to first see how Christ gave himselfup for his bride, the church. The obvious was that he died for her (thechurch) and provided an escape from eternity in Hell. How did thisrelate to a husbands love for his wife?
I think we take it for granted Jesus' decision to be the Savior.Remember his prayer to his Father the night before his crucifixion?
In Matthew 26:39 it says; "Going a little farther, he fell with hisface to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may thiscup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Three verses later he repeats the same prayer. Why? Because it would be an easy task?
Obviously not. He was agonizing over the decision to suffer for hisbride. Not because he didn't love her but because it was going to bethe hardest thing he would ever have to endure as a man.
Not only did he follow through with this ultimate expression of sacrificial love for everyone but he also showed husbands how to overcome the one thing he knew would be the cancer in all relationships,selfishness.
It would be an honorable expression of our love if we physicallydied for our wives. But would we not be fulfilling God's role for us ashusbands by living for her also?
Listen to what Paul says in Galatians 5:24
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires."
In other words Christ gives us an escape from selfishness.
Read how the Message bible interprets it;
"Amongthose who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our ownway and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessitiesis killed off for good - crucified."
As I have learned these lessons for myself and have applied them tomy marriage it is nothing short of a miracle what has transformedwithin my marriage.
Just like the laws of nature we live in, God has set in place laws to live by within our relationships.Whether it be relationships between wives and husbands, parents andchildren, familymembers, friends, church family, coworkers, strangers, or even with Godhimself, there is a plan God has put in place so we can live life toit's fullest and to be at peace within each of our relationships.
It's all about relationships. Life is found in these relationships, especially a relationship with Christ himself.The last part of Hebrews 11:6 says; "He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him,"
Depression, loneliness and despair are a result of isolation and self-seeking.
God wants the best for us. That's why he sent his best, his only son.
I couldn't agree with Tim more, thanks for sharing.
- Lance