During the rule of Herod, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. Luke 1:5-7
Now, this? Is a wonderful life! This is exactly what I want my marriage to look like. Zachariah and Elizabeth, living in the same call, walking in the same truth, pursuing the same character goals. And in response to the way that they’ve fashioned their family, God gives them the keys to the next generation and they give birth to the bridge between the years of dark, silence and the years of brilliant redemption.
So many dating couples fall into the trap of giving themselves primarily to one another. They give up ministry, get immersed in the process of falling in love – which is a GREAT process and it definitely deserves some attention – but they often don’t find a way back to the things that God had spoken to them before the hearts and flowers fell. It’s easy to believe that finding the right person actually IS the bulk of God’s purpose – kind of like the finish line – and all that we were doing before was a diversion to keep us occupied while waiting for the ultimate matrimonial prize. If that’s our mindset, we can easily spend the bulk of our energy after “I do” on keeping our marriage safe, our stuff safe, our time safe and our kids safe.
I’ve watched hundreds of couples walk this out and I’ve found that the most excellent and exciting relationships are those that allow God to multiply their kingdom purpose rather than trimming it down to fit inside the safety of the American dream. Husbands and wives who encourage one another to step into the fullness of God’s call and character, who push each other to become carriers of His authority to the world around them (even when it’s costly), and who keep their vision globally and eternally focused – those marriages are not just happy – they’re dangerous.
In love with a dangerous man,
Bo
P.S. Coming up: a shout-out to some of the most daring and dangerous couples I know.
I am suing. You took that straight out of my journal…you punk.
I’m definitely in love with one extremely dangerous man (who happens to be having his b-day today!!!) and I do have to admit that a few things that used to “bug” me are the things I’m most proud of. He’d rather wear his old leather jacket (that’s been beat-up from ministry on every continent) than don some stuffy preacher-tie . . . he’d rather conduct a funeral service or preach a firey message to a field of angry Muslims in a war-zone than perform a fancy wedding . . . and he’d rather be home with me and the kids, growing roses and talking walks, than working to “promote” his ministry.
Yep. My husband is the real deal.
And I’m so glad he married me.
We got good ones, didn’t we Bo??
God’s grace is amazing.
Ann
Well, Katie, maybe you shouldn’t leave your journal laying around in your locked office where anyone can break in and steal your thoughts.
And also: Happy Birthday, Jon! He is for sure a good one, Ann, and he married a good one too!
What about a dangerous maiden awaiting her dangerous suiter? I think us single women can also spend the bulk of our energy before “I do” waiting for “I do.” I have been watching so many of my peers go crazy over being so desperate to be “next”! Everytime a new couple arises from the pack, the rest of them panic with the mindset that their pickings are now that much slimmer!(Which is so not true, silly people…Not True!)
I have to admit that coming from the secular dating world, the thought of dating again has at times been overwhelmingly scary for me. But I’ve come to understand that the act of submiting to and trusting a man as your husband is a direct reflection of how much you are submited to and trusting in God. But I think that if I am not living dangerously for Jesus now, I will not have any of this dangerous love to give to my suiter, which won’t make his persuit of me very exciting for him! And that will not give very much hope for my marriage to be dangerous either. Bo, am I on the right track here?
Jennifer, I think you’re on the right track! I love how you say you need to live dangerously in pursuit of God . . . so someday, Lord willing, a mighty man of God will be EXCITED to pursue you. whoa… that dangerous pursuit… it sounds almost like a title of a book.
Jennifer – I agree with Ann! I think you’ve thought it out well and you’re living it out well. I’m proud of you. 🙂
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