The first time I heard my boss/pastor/friend make the statement, ‘Marriage is the greatest way to live out the Gospel’, I think I let out a deep sigh and paused. And over a decade later, that truth still makes me sigh and pause. Why? Because it’s so true! Yet so tough! And totally explains why the enemy loves to attack marriages and families.
By ‘gospel’, I’m referring to Jesus’ life, teachings, death on the cross, and resurrection. The gospel is the ‘good news’ and story of Jesus. And if we are going to put His teachings into action and His grace and truth into practice so His power and love can be revealed, marriage truly is the best place to start! I love how a member of Holy Barre expressed her thoughts in response to one of our YouVersion Bible Reading Plans.
‘I think it’s very brave to embrace being a wife, while at the same time it’s a privilege to love a son of God. For a very long time, Satan has been attacking marriages. I believe our culture echoes these attacks with the normalization of divorce and leaving your spouse when things get tough. My marriage challenges me because my daily bread is dying to myself, dying to my selfishness and pride, and asking God (constantly) how to live up to the standard of being His bride first and how to be a servant in my earthly marriage second. And there are days where I fail miserably. But there is a grace in not knowing what the next day holds, and trusting the Holy Spirit to equip me with whatever I lack.’
– Brittany
As we begin our Easter series, Jesus Changes Everything, I thought it’d be helpful to start with our families and marriages. From marriage to parenting to caregiving to celebrations to losses and everything in between, we NEED Jesus! Our roles within our families can be the most challenging and wearing. Family relationships involve the good, the bad, and the ugly yet can be the most beautiful and restorative of all!
The best news is Jesus is ready and willing to help us and desires for us to live freely and lightly! That is the good news of Easter!
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
Because of Easter, the Holy Spirit now dwells within us – guiding, directing, leading, and filling. From His overflow, we love and live freely and lightly! It’s important to note that our spouse, children, parents, etc will never fill us like the love of Christ. Just like we can’t fully trust or worship or pursue or seek another person more than we do Jesus.
Our true Soul Mate died on the cross for us so that we can spend every day and eternity with Him. He just asks us to remain in His love. Day in and day out. He will give us the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit that we can then share with those around us. May we be filled with His joy so it overflows!
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
John 15:5-12 NLT
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” – Jesus
Families get complicated as we consider all aspects and identify the generational struggles, leave legacies for our children and their children, mourn the loss of those who have passed, and find hope in knowing we get to spend eternity with those who have believed in Jesus as their Savior. Jesus changes our families and marriages because our present families and marriages impact more than just our present day. Our families are part of a much larger family.
So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22
May our families burn bright, better together, founded on the truth that Jesus changes everything!
Holy Barre 