Dare 30

"Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are." --John 17:11
During pre-marital counseling, Zane and I had to learn and understand that in marriage, we are no longer separate. We are one. What I do and say affects him, and vise versa. While we can bring in our qualities that make us unique, we can no longer live as our individual selves. When joining in marriage, our awareness of the other is impossible to ignore, and our unity needs to be such as one thread. A strong thread that cannot be torn apart.
So when God uses the imagery of marriage to explain His love for the church, He gives married couples a task that is not to be ignored. "The church (bride) is most honored when her Savior is worshiped and celebrated. Christ (bridegroom), who has given Himself up for her, is most honored when He sees her 'as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless' (Ephesians 5:27). Both Christ and the church honor the other" (Kendrick).
What would happen in marriages across the world if every husband loved and honored his wife, serving her above himself? What would happen if every wife would promote tenderness and togetherness in her marriage? That is what this dare is for. For Zane and I to understand that our marriage unifies us, and that our actions are to display God's love for the church. Unifying. Honoring. Serving. Loving.
Dare 30: Isolate one area of division in your marriage, and look on today as a fresh opportunity to pray about it. Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your own heart that is threatening oneness with your spouse. Pray that He would do the same for them. And if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity.
Dare 29: Express your love.
Dare 28: Sacrifice.
Dare 27: Encourage.
Dare 26: Seek forgiveness.
(For previous dares, refer to earlier entries.)

--Inspired by, "The Love Dare"