God’s plan for this world is mirrored in our marriages. We need to ask ourselves, “What are we reflecting of the image of God, in our lives to those outside our home, and to those within our homes?”

Cindy: I’ve learned in marriage, that it not only involves our relationship with each other as husband and wife, but it also involves our relationship with our God. Simply said, “How we honor and cherish each other shows how we honor and cherish the Lord.” The Lord’s helped me to see that my husband is created in the image of God (as every human being).

But as Steve’s wife, part of my role as his “help-mate” is to discover that image and help bring it to the surface (as far as it’s within me to do so) so that Steve will be complete in ways that he never could have been had we not been married. It’s an awesome responsibility and privilege and does not come without daily sacrifice and obedience to the Lord. If I don’t honor and love my husband “as unto the Lord,” I’m dishonoring the Lord and breaking the promises I made to Him on our wedding day.

I’m also tarnishing the testimony that God intends for our marriage to be. As Charlie Shedd once said, “God wrapped His words around the relationship of marriage (as we can read all throughout the Bible) to describe God’s love and relationship with the world.” God has placed upon those of us who are Believers and who are married, an awesome responsibility that we dare not take lightly. You and I are “ordained to participate” in reflecting God’s glory and love to a world that so desperately needs Him. Again, “God’s plan for this world is mirrored in our marriages.”

Because of this, the question comes to mind, “what are we reflecting of the image of God in our lives to those outside of our homes,” and with equal importance, “to those within our homes?” How we relate to each other communicates the Gospel with and without words whether we realize it or not.

This witness is all the more important in light of the events that are happening in our world recently. As President Bush said, “night fell on a different world” after the events that occurred on September 11th. This world will never be the same because of it. These are scary times we’re living in. But this is also a wonderful time for those of us who know the Truth of Christ.

Steve and I are seeing how people, who would not have been open to discussing spiritual matters a few weeks ago, are hungry for Truth today because of the uncertainty of tomorrow. We pray that you will participate in spreading the love and Good news of Jesus Christ to all that God brings within your path. We also pray that you’ll be a loving witness through how you relate to each other in your marriage. Your married lives are reflecting something to those around you, and we pray for that reflection to be the love and transforming power of Christ so that others will be drawn to Him.

Steve: If a young engaged couple asked if they could follow you and your wife around for the next six months to observe your relationship, what would they see? Would they see a husband who speaks with respect to his wife? Would they find you to be a man who prays for—and with—his wife?

If their picture of how a husband treats and interacts with his wife was based solely on what they saw in you—what would that picture look like? If you think, “that will never happen,” then think again. If you have children, you’re modeling for them every day what a husband is. I can also tell you with certainty that if you ever go out in public as a couple (to church or with friends) people are always watching you there too.

I believe our influence is always “active.” The question is, when it comes to our marriages, is it a positive influence or a negative influence? Or another way of putting it, whose image do others see in us? Remember, men, we’re charged with an awesome responsibility to bear the image of Christ in everything we do.

Couples: For further study, see 2 Corinthians 3 and especially vs. 17-18.

Let’s continue to pray for and work on our marriages.

God Bless,
Steve and Cindy Wright

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