MMS 7-IMAGINE THIS.

Imagine this. Two people constantly dying to self and allowing God to mold them into what He purposed them to be. Two people, not one person, two. Two fully committed, fully devoted and fully present people. Two people who want nothing more than to see God work through them. Two people committed to growth.

Colossians 3:5 NLT “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.”

Two people modeling the love of God; the sacrificial, selfless love of God. The kind of love that puts the other person before self. But still in this love, not forsaking growth in self-awareness, self-confidence and self-discipline.

Imagine what it would be like if man loved like Jesus loved the church enough to give His life, and if woman submitted like Jesus did unto the will of God. Imagine a love that never gives up like Christ never gave up till He hung on the cross. Imagine a heart that is longing and learning to love like Christ did through reading His word, and not following what trending quotes teach. Imagine two people lifting each other up, choosing each other daily and placing the higher purpose of the team over self. Two people, not one person, two. Two fully committed, fully devoted and fully present people.  Imagine how these two people grow and flourish out of this kind of partnership. Coming out lighter as they offload the burdens of selfishness and greed on the journey of purpose. Difficult nonetheless but the rewards are immeasurable. Imagine putting to death the lie of selfishness that blinds us from how lonely and fruitless the end of that path is. Imagine we believed and walked in God’s plan to give us a glimpse of the relationship He wants with us through the union of a man and a woman. The kind of relationship that nothing can be hidden in. Pure intimacy with Him. Laying all our flaws out on the table before Him and surrendering to Him daily to refine us, taking away the parts of us that leads to destruction, transforming our hearts and refining our minds.

Romans 12:2 NLT “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

 Imagine we constantly fought to kill pride and to truly love our neighbor as ourselves no matter how many of their flaws we saw because God loves us when He can see right through us. Imagine we answered to the higher call of commitment to His refining hand and trusted that God’s plan always has a beautiful end. Always. Imagine two people following His lead in every aspect of their lives. Every aspect of their lives. And when they fail- which they will- they run back to Him and not away from Him because only He can show us the way that leads to a fulfilling life. Imagine that.

Isaiah 46:10 NLT “Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.”

Dear lord, please help us to surrender our habits, character and thoughts to you daily. Renew us and help us to love like you. We want the world to see you through us always. In Jesus’ name. Amen.