Having just celebrated 11 years of marriage a couple days ago, I found myself reflecting on this word picture the Lord provided me for a wedding this last weekend. If you are married--or aspire to be--allow this picture to encourage you and speak His truth to you....I know I must always seek to keep my mirror clean and that it is reflecting His face to my bride. Here is a segment of my notes... As I prayed for our time this evening, the Lord gave me a picture to represent the battle that exists within our marriages. This picture involves a mirror. You see right now, the MIRROR that you both hold, representing your marriage, is pretty clean. The reflection you see portrays a light and loving commitment that the two of you have….I have had the privilege for the last year plus in witnessing, walking, and watching as you two commit to re-wiring the heart you have for each other, and transforming your view to a picture of Godly marriage. I can stand here with integrity and vouch for the incredible work you two have already invested in making your marriage beautiful, even moreso than the singular occasion as this momentous wedding. Scripture tells us in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, verse 11: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” You two are such an encouragement to each other, and I pray you continue to be. There will be days, moments, events, trials, and even tragedies that will cause this mirror of marriage to reflect back to you disappointment, discouragement, and despair. The enemy of your souls will smear this mirror to reflect back to you wounds and pain resulting from past issues and previous resentments. The mirror will at times be cloudy as it pertains to your feelings for each other, and it will bear waterspots caused by words you will wish you could have back. The image you were created in, and the image you desired for your marriage will at times feel marred, and beyond recognition. Herein lies the challenge. When times become difficult, feelings become bleak, and your expectations are unmet….when you face disappointment and even hurt at the hands of your spouse, what will the mirror of marriage reflect back to them in the form of your reactions? Will you hold up the distorted perception for them to see? Will you hold up the cracked image that reflects back to them the lies, wounds, and enforces the enemy’s image and strategy to divide you two? Or will you be the agent that resolves to wipe the image of the mirror back to its original reflection. Where both of you access the cleansing and resolution that only the Holy Spirit can provide. I pray you aspire to reflect the love of Christ when things become murky, That as Christ is to us, you will, in the Apostle Paul’s words: Be completely humble and gentle; Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace….The Apostle Peter paints the reflection as this in His first book: “…..keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of Gods varied grace.” As you reflect grace to one another, you will have no choice to see things clearly…as Christ sees you. Yes, you are two sinners who will have moments of letting one another down, but the most complete truth is that grace and forgiveness are the only agents capable of true restoration....
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 21:31:02 +0000
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