We say we love Christ? That will become evident enough in time. True love cannot be restrained. It could be argued that a love that must be broadcast to be believed is not a very convincing love. Still, they who love will not hesitate to broadcast it.
Today is my beloved wife's and my 30th anniversary. I couldn't have imagined being given a better gift than she--sagacious, peaceful, humorous, thoughtful, and fun! Truly, God is merciful to David. In God's providence, we have both grown stronger in our love for Jesus Christ, and thus, for one another. We have not reneged in telling our Youth and the Church, however, that our love for Christ supersedes our marital love. It is the way God ordained it a la the First and Great Commandment. It is the way we both want it as well. Those who insist upon being the center of their relationship force upon their love such a stifling constriction that it will eventually implode upon itself and one will be left holding only the remnants of a love that might have been. That God in Christ has provided that we enjoy the privilege of loving God at all sets our hearts to dancing! What greater gift could our Lord God have given than to know--intimately--the Creator of the universe?! And for two people to know Him unites them both to the Awesome as well as to one another.
One Lord, one purpose, yes a single-minded pursuit of God's glory unites this happy couple in the only quest of a life-time we could never regret. Better, it is the pursuit that multiplies blessings on one another the longer we live because we serve the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:15–16)I cannot say I understand why many couples suffer so in their marriages when they claim to have married in faith. My heart goes out to them. We looked for (and God found) someone who honestly loved God when we married. Phyllis and I both urge singles, "Be satisfied to be single if God so orders it. And if you feel that that is not your gift, then look for and wait for someone who doesn't just say they love God; find one who demonstrates it!" God is not so weak that he cannot find that someone for you if you are only willing to marry the one of His choosing. The Omniscient knows where they are! But our first call, our greatest call is to know the Omniscient One!
Phyllis and I not only have never regretted it, we celebrate such an exclusive love to Jesus. In that love we find a deeper and more satisfying love for one another than either of us could ever have imagined.
And for this we praise God's glorious Name!
Happy Anniversary, my love!
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