Attractive FAITH!

 

My oldest daughter, McKenzie and her husband Jeff, were married 25 years, yesterday. I didn't realize it until the end of the day. My wife (what would I do without her) told me last night at about 9:30. I almost missed it. 25 years is quite a great milestone in a marriage. I am proud of them and the wonderful family they have put together. God is using them. 

Stephanie and I have tried to be good examples, good role models for our daughters and their families. We are not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. If there is anyone who knows our flaws, my flaws, it is our family. Sometimes our flaws and weaknesses are the greatest examples to people. When we cover them up we seem fake. You can't cover up your failures with your family, they know who you are, what you have done, both the good and the bad. 

As I was reading Titus this morning, the following verse caught my attention:

"Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other." (Titus 3:1-3, NLT, emphasis added)

These verses did not catch my attention because of submitting to the government, although the rioting that is taking place right now in California is NOT helpful in any way. 

These verses caught my attention because it reminded me of my flaws. Paul tells Titus that ONCE we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were filled with lusts and pleasures, evil and envy. YES, we came from a sinful life to where we are today. AND because we have come through that sinful life we can be an example to others. We can show them the possibilities, the wonderful possibilities, available if we turn to Jesus. It is the same way with OUR MARRIAGE.

I greatly enjoy being married to Stephanie. We love spending time together. We have worked together most of our lives and don't just tolerate each other. We thrive because we are ONE. We have survived our sinfulness, our weaknesses, and the flaws we have. It has been 47 years of wonderful love and growth in our relationship with each other and our relationship with CHRIST. Read this verse from Titus:

"Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way." (Titus 2:9-10, emphasis added)

Paul was telling the slaves to live a life that makes the teaching of Jesus attractive to their masters. Stephanie and I want to live a married life with JESUS at the center, because we want it to be attractive to our DAUGHTERS, GRANDKIDS, and to EVERYONE we meet. We know we are flawed and it is ok to let others see those flaws, because when they see we can SURVIVE THOSE FLAWS AND WEAKNESSES they will realize they can do the same.

 I want a HEALTHY, CHRIST-CENTERED MARRIAGE to be ATTRACTIVE

I want to make FAITH IN JESUS ATTRACTIVE!