Column: Couch’s Corner
This is the second part of Couch’s Corner published Oct. 22.
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth,” 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 says.
The saying, “the honeymoon’s over” is sad. Once post-wedding vacation has concluded, some couples genuinely act as if the good times are over and reality is beginning.
True love is not contingent upon circumstances. The expression of it should not be either. Let that be a challenge to love well at your worst instead of an obligation to act against feeling.
To love someone the best way possible can only be done when Christ is in you and has your heart.
We cannot fully understand what it means to be loved until we are shaken by the realization that the Creator of the world sent his son to be a sacrifice for humans. Once this story goes from the head to the heart and is believed, it is life-altering.
Being grounded and immersed in Christ’s love empowers believers to treasure and cherish loved ones in a seldom seen way.
“If it is the joy of each to make the other happy, a hundred problems will be solved before they happen,” Pastor John Piper said.
When two believers in love with Christ seek to make the other happy, they realize that means living Christ-like lives will help their spouse remember that Jesus’ love leads to true joy.
The gift of a godly spouse is one of the sweetest gifts that Christ can give to us.
“To whom much is given much will be required,” Luke 12:48 says.
This involves stewarding your soon to be spouse well. The strongest marriages to the outsider are the ones in which the husband and wife illuminate Christ through their love and care for one another.
What a testimony it would be if after time spent with you and your significant other, acquaintances commented about the love for Christ they were able to witness through your love and care towards one another.
The above quote from John Piper is spot on. The joy that strong Christian couples find in making the other happy is rooted in their realization that their relationship is a gift. Jesus is their everything and living side by side with their spouse is a blessing not something they are entitled to.
So much of life is perspective. If you are going to marry someone who is in love with Christ, start now to understand what a blessing it is to be preparing for marriage alongside them.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love,” (Ephesians 4:2).
Do not take out wedding planning stress on your fiancé. Wake up each day and thank the Lord for the opportunity to enjoy this final season of pre-married life with your special someone.
Do not get caught up in thinking the wedding is all about you. Entitlement to our lives will begin to fade when we grasp that everything we do on a daily basis should bring glory to the name of Jesus.
We are made for relationship. But first and foremost, we can only be completed by Christ and therefore our being complete will not be shaken by altering circumstances or earthly tragedies.
Love God, share his love with the people that surround you and cherish one another. Remember that if your focus as a couple is on Christ, when the honeymoon is over the best is not behind you but is rather just beginning.
As you and your spouse grow in Christ be intentional about protecting and valuing your marriage.
Satan trembles when a couple’s love for Jesus exceeds the love that the husband and wife have for each other.