Yes, but Easter happened yesterday. Does that make it old news? Not hardly! I think it explains better and makes more sense after the celebration of remembrance happens, after the realization of what our Lord suffered, and after the reality of what His resurrection really means has a chance to sink in. No matter if we've all gone back to our regular lives, Christ's sacrifice goes on always, perpetually, conveying to us forgiveness for all the wrongs we have done and will do, all by heartfelt request.
The meaning of his sacrifice never stops happening. Every deed we do, every word we say ought to measure up to each lash he took, each stumble, and each nail. But, we fail, and we must ask forgiveness. God's grace through Christ's sacrifice ... humbling.
Last week, I wrote about resurrecting or starting fresh with marriage with thoughts of Resurrection Day on our minds. Easter's accompanying indicators: greening earth, chicken eggs, and Christ's rising from the dead, all point to new life.
We can't forget the dying, though, in order to fully appreciate the meaning of new life in Christ. In a marriage, a sacrifice of death happens, too. At least, it does for those who truly believe how marriage should work, and who have a God-inspired view of it.
As a wife, I must die to myself, sacrificing my wants and needs for the good of my husband. He, likewise, should die to himself, focusing in the same manner. In a Godly harmony of marriage, these actions would happen without questioning, doubting, or rolling eyes of disdain.
If you want new life in your marriage, you have no choice but to allow yourself to stand as a sacrifice to your husband. You never say the words "I'm sacrificing for YOU." You do not write a title or add captions to each "deed" you do to offer a sacrifice. You just do. You do it because you love the man you married and you want the best for him. He should ("should" does not mean he will) act accordingly in your direction.
He might never do this, he might take make the first move, or he might jump on board with you, follow your example as you follow Christ's example, and you will feel supremely successful. You may go it alone for a long time, or for always. Sacrifice in marriage has no half way, no 50/50 balance. You give, and you keep giving. You don't expect. You don't calculate worth.
Also, you will probably fail at sacrificing from time to time. He will want to go for Chinese food tonight and you won't want it. You will counter offer with Italian, and he will appear disappointed. You move to Mexican. Further disappointment. You don't understand why.He may have just sacrificed himself for you by offering a nice meal, one that you don't have to cook, and you shoot down his idea without batting an eye. You have discredited his sacrifice by determining that the type of sacrifice he wants to make does not satisfy your criteria. His sacrifice didn't "wow" you. It didn't meet your needs because you didn't simply, graciously, accept his gift.
I know how this works, because I accomplished denial of my husband's sacrifice less than an hour ago. He whispered to me afterward, "I just wanted to do something nice for you." I shot his idea and it went down in flames, but I fell to earth without quite so much glory and presence ... and with a loud "ker-THUMP".
Reclaiming the sacrifice of a husband takes some doing. You can do it. Apologizing goes a long way, and accepting his offer helps a lot, if he feels willing to continue.
Enjoying what he has offered and connecting with him as he enjoys giving to you ... doesn't sound at all like dying to yourself, does it? When you accept your husband's sacrifices, stop stalling, refrain from judging, and accept it joyfully and with thanks. Praise goes a long way! He will feel successful, you will feel honored and cherished, and your marriage will bloom a bit more. NEW LIFE!
Give it a try, won't you?
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