Let’s assume that you began reading this post as a woman or wife and/or mother. I’m glad you’re here (I’ll talk to husbands later). This message is for both men and women.
Regardless of your current circumstances, healthy or unhealthy, positive or negative, “good” or “bad,” you have prayed or are praying for a partner that loves God, pursues Him and proves himself to be physically and emotionally trustworthy. Even so, you find him to be a loving, servant leader. For whatever you find yourself reading this article, hear the message of love and forgiveness instead of judgmental and condemning.
Husbands and wives alike – consider the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
‭‭1 Corinthians 13:4

Components of Love
Consider the definition of love being offered here. Love is:

  • Patient
  • Kind
  • Content
  • Humble
  • Meek
  • Considerate
  • Selfless
  • Joyful
  • Forgiving
  • Rejoiceful
  • Upholding
  • Trusting
  • Hopeful
  • Enduring

Men, husbands, fathers – you may be overwhelmed by such a list, but I encourage you to take a deeper look. Look at how you love. Look at your heart. Does it look similar to this list? We aren’t looking for perfection from each other, we are all called to the same love. The great thing is that this list is by no definition of our own, but God inspired and breathed.
Making a Heart Change
Husbands – your wives need you. Consider the words in Ephesians:

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her… In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself… However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:25, 28, 33

More importantly, this is what we are called to do as husbands – God has given you the responsibility and honor to love well. To mutually complete your spouse – to mirror God’s character and holiness – to multiply a Godly legacy. This isn’t a “fake it ‘till you make it” kind of love. This is heartfelt, genuine, authentic choice. Day after day. Unconditional. Period.

Application
We (men and women) are called to such a love that moves mountains. This is an honor! Whether you are a husband or wife, man or woman, father or mother – take the opportunity today to love your spouse and love your family. Use the divine definition in 1 Corinthians and the attitude and position in Ephesians. Still waiting for the love of your life? Pray for the individual that may come into your life. Pray that he or she may demonstrate such a love in a truly authentic way.

3 comments

Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this: