Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Ephesians 5:22-33 ESV
Today’s sermon on Ephesians really opened my eyes. I needed this sermon. After feeling like I’ve been falling backwards, like something is trying to pull me back, I felt like God was speaking directly to me. I felt every word spoken through my whole body. I wiped tears from my eyes because those words were so powerful.
As a young woman who hasn’t been married or really ever been in a serious relationship, I’ve always found myself searching for that “perfect” guy. Always searching for a guy who would love me. Being that I’m 30 now and still have never been with a guy that ever loved me I always thought something was wrong with me. I used to believe that I was incapable of being loved. The problem with that is is that such a thing does not exist. The only perfect person to ever exist was Jesus Christ. And the other problem with that is I’ve been looking at it all wrong.
I’ve been looking for a guy to love and love me back. But I never truly understood what that meant until today. Loving someone isn’t just about caring for them and being there when they need it. Love isn’t about finding your perfect match. Love isn’t about criticizing your spouse for the things they do wrong. Love is so much more than that. Love is praying for your spouse to lift them up. Love is unconditional.
Jesus came down to Earth because he loves us. He died on the cross because he loves us. His love is unconditional.
Today made me realize that I deserve a love stronger than I ever could have imagined. I deserve a love strong enough to submit to as I have submitted to Jesus Christ. I’ve spent too much time trying to force myself to love and be loved by guys who I knew were never right. I’ve spent too much time trying to find the “perfect” man when he’s actually been there this whole time. Just took me 30 years to figure it out.
I used to think God was punishing me. But I know He has a plan for me.
Journey to Faith 