“Calling All Husbands!”
By Zach Wood
Ephesians 5:25-28 NIV
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
Two weeks ago, my wife and I had the privilege of attending our first marriage retreat with Weekend To Remember in Minneapolis that is put on by Family Life. I must share that it was one of the best investments we have made in our marriage to this day! It was a weekend filled with much learning and a great revival for renewing our marriage.
I am writing this devotional specifically to husbands this week. I felt the need to share with you all after the powerfully inspiring weekend we had! As a husband, I was challenged in ways I never thought I would be challenged. Throughout the weekend, I felt so guilty of not being the Godly husband that I’ve needed to be for my wife. Throughout our marriage, I so often haven’t been the supportive man I need to be for my wife. This weekend allowed me to see a whole different perspective on how I should care for my wife. It taught me how I need to turn from my daily selfish ways and consider my wife so much more.
As the weekend progressed, I found myself becoming overwhelmed with emotion and God was revealing to me so much about how I needed to be much more loving and unconditional toward my wife. Husbands, I want to challenge you to truly love your wives each and every day. It is so important to not focus on just what your needs and desires are and to focus your love on making her feel truly cherished. God calls us to treat our wives with respect and love because He gave them to us to take care of.
I was so glad we attended this conference. It was just what we needed to renew and revive so many things in our marriage. I am thankful that God worked in my heart that weekend to change my perspective about the relationship that marriage should be. It is a teamwork relationship and it is often hard. It takes devotion and much effort. I would recommend any couple take the time to attend this conference and be challenged.
Husbands, I want to encourage you to love your wives in Christ. Wives, I hope you will read this and be encouraged to be a team with your husband. I am no marriage expert and never will be. However, I know that any marriage without Christ cannot experience the growth that only a marriage with Christ can experience. It is amazing!