(As I spend my 29th anniversary with my wonderful husband, please enjoy this post from 2 years ago.)
Still
pondering my upcoming anniversary, I have been thinking about the months that
led up to my wedding day. David and I went from friends, to special friends, to
engaged, to married all within the same calendar year. Because of this, many
people on our Christmas card lists were unaware of the events. That year we
included a Christmas letter entitled, “Let Me Introduce You to My New Best
Friend!” This was our way of telling distant friends and relatives of
everything that had occurred during the year 1987. The most important thing
that we desired to share about this year was our new-found love and life
commitment. Our best friend eclipsed any of the other occurrences of that year.
We also
receive a new best friend when we come to Christ through receiving the
salvation He provided by His death on the cross and resurrection. Everything in
life changes with this new relationship. We no longer walk alone, but side by
side with Jesus. “and behold,
I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to
the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).” (Matthew 28:20b AMP) We have the Holy
Spirit living within us. “Do
you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy
Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19 AMP) As the bride
of Christ, we have married into the family of God and now have a new, Heavenly
Father. He has adopted us as His own. “And
because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the [Holy] Spirit of His Son
into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father!” (Galatians 4:6 AMP)
Have we
now also become so wrapped up in this new relationship, that everything else
seems less important? Do we wish to tell all those around us about our best friend?
In many ways this is true, but sadly over time we often lose much of this zeal.
It can become easy to talk about nonessential or even nonsensical things more
than that which is of extreme importance. We can become accustomed to walking
with God on a daily basis and lose some of the awe and amazement that we first
saw in each and every moment. Even worse we can find ourselves talking more
about problems and trials than the amazing presence that God provides during
these hard times.
Speaking
to the church at Ephesus the angel charged, “that
you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me,
your first love]. Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent
(change the inner man to meet God's will) and do the works you did previously
[when first you knew the Lord]” (Revelation
2:4-5 AMP) We can get so used to the presence of God in our lives that we no
longer are amazed at His faithfulness and love. Even when we find ourselves in
constant awareness of God’s goodness, we may be reluctant to share all that He
is doing for us.
Whenever
the opportunity arises, I brag on my husband’s best attributes. I am proud of
him and not ashamed to tell others about him. People who know me are aware of
his importance in my life. I proudly wear my wedding rings. However, he is no
longer my number one topic of conversation. Over the years, I have reduced the
amount of time I introduce David into my conversations. My friends are probably
quite happy with this, since in those early months I could tie just about
anything that was being discussed back to him.
Have we
reduced our introduction of God into our conversations? How often do we talk
about the amazing things that He is doing? Can people see His presence in our
lives? Do we take every opportunity to brag on God’s faithfulness and love?
Even when He is not the initial topic of conversation, He should be seen and
felt in all that we do and say. We should never assume that others experience
everything we do. We must give voice to all that God means to us. The apostle
Paul addresses reluctance to speak about Jesus Christ. “Do not blush or be ashamed then,
to testify to and for our Lord,” (2
Timothy 1:8a AMP) We must always remember and speak of the greatness of the
salvation that we have been given and its ongoing influence in our day to day
life.
Be amazed
that God’s presence in your life every moment of every day. Don’t be afraid to
be the one of which others say, “Here we go again, he/she is talking about
his/her best friend and love. Be eager to say, “Guess what Jesus has said to
and done for me now?”
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