 “What makes the one you love better than another, most beautiful of women? What makes him better than another, that you would give us this charge?” “My love is fit and strong, notable among ten thousand… His mouth is sweetness. He is absolutely desirable. This is my love, and this is my friend, Young women… I belong to my love, And his desire is for me.” Song of Songs 5:9-10, 16; 7:10 No matter how many books or blog posts I read, no matter how many conversations I had, no matter how many podcasts I listened to – there is no way to fully understand marriage until you’re in it! You are two sinful people pursuing a selfless relationship, and it is dang hard!! Malcolm and I’s first couple years were very difficult, and each year there is a new difficulty that we have to face. I have done a lot of things the wrong way before I figured out how to do it right. Think about it: I spent the first 23 years of my life being single, and then in, the matter of a signed legal document and an afternoon of dressing fancy before friends and family, I am no longer single! You literally go from single to married in an instant – how on earth are we suppose to get the whole husband/wife thing correctly right off the bat?! Everything is new in marriage: new name, new living situation, new intimacy. You go from not being able to see each other 24/7, to practically seeing them 24/7. You go from not having to sex to… well, you get the picture. Everything is new! Marriage reflects our new status, intimacy and living situation with Jesus in heaven. Let’s read Revelation 21:1-7, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God's dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away. Then the One seated on the throne said, ‘Look! I am making everything new.’ He also said, ‘Write, because these words are faithful and true. And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give water as a gift to the thirsty from the spring of life. The victor will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.’” Everything will be new. We’re already made new in Christ, but we’ll have new bodies. Earth will be new. Heaven will be new. Literally we’ll have an entirely new environment to learn, discover and explore, all while learning, discovering and exploring Jesus in a whole new way. But what is awesome with all this new stuff, there won’t be sin or pain to deal with, so it will all be enjoyable! Had you thought of marriage being like eternity with Jesus before? What differences and similarities are there between an earthly marriage and our marriage with Jesus? What things are you looking forward to in your new life with Jesus in the new heaven and new earth? Write out all the things to look forward to and spend time thanking God for His promises to look forward to! Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You making everything new!! Even though we are groaning now for You bring total justice and bring in a whole new life with You, I pray that we will use our time wisely here. I pray that You will make us bold and courageous to share the gospel so that everyone can at least have the chance to know You personally. In Your Majestic Name I pray…
About Leah Leah works with Master Plan Ministries at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Other than watching college students' lives change, she enjoys getting her mind blown by God and His Word, watching sci fi, baking cupcakes, and spending time with her hunky husband. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.
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3/8/2016 10:41:29 am
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