We have one life to live. And for many they use this as an opportunity to desperately take whatever they can get. Or perhaps they attempt to keep others at a distance in an effort to minimize their heartache and pain later. But a life of faith calls us to leave things better than we found it. And this is especially true when it comes to our closest relationships.
For instance, many approach marriage thinking about all the years of joy they will share together. And this is a beautiful feature of our marriage – building a lifetime of memories with each other. But our marriage is also intended to be a ministry of love.
As such, our duty is not merely to enjoy our wife’s company, but to offer our heart and our strength to her time and time and time again – discovering that because of our strength and our sacrifice she can become the woman she is meant to become. In short, we do our part to help her grow closer to Christ. And, in this way, when death eventually separates us, she is a better woman because of our fierce love on her behalf.
However, to be fair, this is true whether our relationship is for a season or a lifetime. For example, even while dating, do we date in such a way that leaves the other better and growing deeper in their relationship with God? Likewise, do we uphold this ministry of love in our friendships as well – spurring each other on toward love and good works?
Whatever it looks like, leaving those we’re in relationship with better after we’ve parted ways is simply part of our discipleship. And we risk merely being consumers when we’re not offering this relational value.
In the end, enjoy the many blessings of your relationships. But leave others better as a result of being in relationship with you – drawing them ever closer to Christ. This is your reasonable act of love.
Photo by Elisa Photography on Unsplash
