No matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:20)
Just look what we’ve accomplished in 33 years!
ust a few, brief, thoughts for today.
First, Rebekah and I are celebrating the 33rd anniversary of our wedding. How cool is that! We were just 23 back in 1979, and so much has happened in three decades and three years.
Our marriage has been – and continues to be – an amazing adventure. I am so thankful for everything that has contributed to shaping who we are today. I can honestly say that I’m as excited about the coming next few years as I was about the first.
Has it been easy? Not at all. But life is seldom easy. The point is the faithfulness, the commitment, the journey, and the understanding – and this is key – that the marriage relationship is not about what we can get, but what we can give. Consequently, we are both guided by this principle from Philippians 2.
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:1-4)
OTHER RELATIONSHIPS: At the same time, we live in a world where people constantly struggle when it comes to living this “Christ-Charged Life.” And they especially struggle with what it means to put “following Jesus” into practice in the day-to-day. And so, right in the middle of celebrating our own commitment, we pray for those we know (and love) who are in need of a fresh charge of life.
We know individuals, families, and even entire communities of faith who are stuck, even slipping backwards, unable to fully engage “The life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19). And it makes our hearts sad, because we understand how absolutely unnecessary that is.
So here’s my challenge (on the day Rebekah and I celebrate 33 years of deciding – on a day-by-day basis – to renew the commitment and engage the adventure): “Step away from the old patterns and take the risk to invite Jesus to lead you, both for today and for the – ongoing – challenging journey God has in mind.”
Don’t pass up this opportunity!
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