Lovers Caught Up In A Romance

Abide n Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. (John 15:4)

Recently, my bride and I participated in a Christmas marriage conference. I looked forward to the conference as a time to get away and to focus on God’s Word in to our lives. But, I didn’t think much would change about our relationship because I felt like we were in pretty good shape as a couple. Once more, however, we came away from the conference with a deeper understanding of and love for each other. We’ve been to many marriage encounters, retreats and seminars. Without exception, each one has helped us to grow closer, more transparent and more in love with each other. We came way as lovers living a romance.

It is terribly easy to fool ourselves about relationships. Just being in each other’s company does not necessarily deepen a relationship. It is often helpful to step out of the daily routine, the ruts of our life, and take a fresh look at our lives. We may discover that we have built up invisible walls to prevent ourselves from getting hurt. Or, we might find that we have become good roommates or friendly co-workers rather than romantic lovers.

Our relationship with Jesus can also become a dead habit, a cold routine or a stale regurgitation of clichés. This can occur without us realizing what is happening because of our natural tendency to take the way of ease while turning the eyes of our thoughts away from uncomfortable truths. Knowing about and talking about a good habit such as daily exercise, prayer or Bible reading does not give us any of its benefit. The benefit is ours only when we first change our minds to admit we have a need and then change our lives to embrace a new way of thinking, living and relating. Our relationship with Jesus can all too easily turn into superstitious habit, legalism or a just a label rather than the glowing joy of lovers caught up in a romance.

You have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. (Revelation 2:4)

Project:
• Pray for God’s grace to become a romantic lover of your spouse and of Jesus.
• Seek out a retreat, seminar or conference to get a new perspective.
• Let’s be zealous to change our minds, lives and relationships.