In case you missed the Royal Wedding Homily by Dr. Richard Chartres, Anglican Bishop of London, I’ve reposted it. It’s an incredible, short treatise on the purpose of marriage. We would do well to take it to heart:
“A spiritual life grows as love finds its centre beyond ourselves. Faithful and committed relationships offer a door into the mystery of spiritual life in which we discover this; the more we give of self, the richer we become in soul; the more we go beyond ourselves in love, the more we become our true selves and our spiritual beauty is more fully revealed. In marriage we are seeking to bring one another into fuller life.”
Marriage is one of God’s primary tools in shaping us into the likeness of His Son. In other words, marriage was designed to make us holy. Where else do we become aware that there is still a lot beneath the surface of our lives that is very unloving and selfish and are given opportunity to love heroically? Where else can you practice, on a day basis, humility, and servanthood, and forgiveness?
It is in the context of marriage that we learn to do the one thing we most don’t want to do…put someone else first before ourselves. It’s a frighteningly high standard and it’s out of touch with the world today. It goes against our nature and it will take all of God’s grace working in us to do it. But it brings wholeness and health, not only to your marriage but to us as well and serves to be a testimony to the world of God’s grace and abounding love.
Putting your spouse first….someone has to do it. Let it begin with you…and you will discover the transformative love, and abundant life of Christ at work in you.
Gail Johnsen 