Saturday, May 4, 2013

Who's first?

I'm gonna bet that if you've been reading my posts that revolve around my "Restored" marriage, then you probably figure that I put my wife first and make her my primary focus and priority.  Well.....you're wrong! 

In my life and in my marriage I've learned that if I don't make Jesus my first priority, if I don't put God first, then my world is upside down.  It's out of step. It's in the wrong.  It's misdirected.

Jesus said in the gospel of Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters --yes, even his own life -- he cannot be my disciple."

Wow!  That's harsh!  But He's not telling us we should hate anyone.  He's using this as a comparison.  Our love for Him should be so complete, so intense, so prioritized, that our love for the people that mean the most to us should not even compare to it!  If we learn to do this, (and believe me, I'm trying!), then our earthly relationships will fall into place and be what they are designed to be!  My marriage will only be successful if I, and my wife, put God first...even above each other.

And, it only makes sense.  God designed marriage.  He tells us the way it is supposed to work.  He gives us instructions to follow to do it right.  The moment we take our eyes off of Him, and put something or someone else above Him, we will go down in flames!  Oh, it may not be apparent right away.  In fact, we may make it look and feel like there's nothing wrong at all!  But, if we become so naive to think we know better than the designer, the author, then we are sadly mistaken, and deceived.

I love my wife!  I love her with an uncomparable, undying love!  It is intense!  But in comparison to the love I have for my God....it should look like hate.  I'm learning that.  It's a process, but I'm learning that.  You should too.