This morning, I woke remembering it’s the 4th of July… with ‘Freedom’ the word of the day. Yes, even with the world’s current situations we still have many wonderful freedoms here in the USA to be grateful for as well the mighty military that fought for these freedoms over the all the years.
Yet this was not the exact direction I was thinking when I woke..
If you are a spouse in a marriage that is rooted or at least working to be rooted, in God’s ideas for couples, then maybe you will relate to this too. If not, I hope that it will encourage you towards that path, discovering how marriages are designed to mirror Christ and His church (us believers).
For those that don’t know me and my past, I am in my 2nd marriage. My first most likely was not with the spouse God had intended for me. In all transparency, even though I knew God, I still made decisions on my own…doing things MY WAY.
Maybe you can relate?
Now, God is a God of allowance… meaning He will step back and allow us to make decisions outside of His will.
I know for a fact He allowed me to make this mistake, to walk in the danger zone, so that He could be glorified on the other side of the disaster.
For He is a God that turns ‘messes into messages’ assuming you have some of your own.
Indeed, our marriage had its sweet moments, and I have some treasured memories, but it ended in a very dark way as the direction my ex chose ultimately to walk led to his destruction.
Not to go into this horrifying story, but it’s safe to say that if I did not know Jesus and Him know me, I would currently be buried …
The entire immediate family is deceased… his brother at 36 yrs, him at 42yrs... and in between the boys’ deaths, both parents. Very sad… 😔
It is my belief God rescued me from ruination because He had a grander purpose for me and a future calling on my life …and I was crying out to Him to save me.
This is not the time or place to discuss more of that story, but it will be included in my upcoming book. My faith and understanding of just who God is and what He created a wife to do, developed while wading through that era of my life.
I believe it is the season to share and encourage others that may be in the same situations I was in.
•Side note, you can sign up on www.monicabrant.com for updates on my upcoming book and the ‘STAND FIRM -Strengthening both Physical and Spiritual Muscle in 7 Days: A Strengthening & Conditioning approach to restoring the PHYSICAL and SPIRITUAL postural muscles you were BORN with’ e-book here: Monica Brant Website
Back to FREEDOM…
As I opened my eyes and was reminded that today is ‘Freedom’ celebration across the country, I reflected on my freedom in my beautiful marriage as well in my devotion to Jesus and how they reflect one another.
Let me try to explain… may the Holy Spirit guide my words… that this ‘Minutes’ message may be a blessing to even one person.
Joyfully, am currently married (13yrs) to an incredible man, Brad Jewett, who also loves the Lord Jesus and answers to Him- before he answers to me.
Friends, this IS how TRUST is built- we both answer to Jesus.. then to each other!
In my marriage…
I am free to be me completely- good and bad.
I am free to love deeply.
I am free to express myself.
I am free to love others.
I am free to live for God- and yet to mistakes without being condemned.
I am free to leave the past disappointments and look forward to the future opportunities both personally and alongside my husband.
I am free to pray for my husband and share the Word of God with him with his appreciation.
I am free to venture on the new paths God has set in front of me.
I am free to be a loved (and liked 😉) wife held lovingly under the protective covering of my husband, under his umbrella if you will.
I am free to REST in his love, devotion and care and trust as he also walks with the Lord Jesus…
Ephesians 5:25–33 contains vital instructions for husbands in their relationship with their wives. Verse 25 gives the basic command: “Husbands, love your wives.”
In case anyone wonders, the Greek word for “love” here is a form of agape.
Agape from Ancient Greek ἀγάπη (agápē)) is "the highest form of love, charity" and "the love of God for [human beings] and of [human beings] for God"
Husbands are to love their wives with God’s kind of love—selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. For a husband to love his wife, he must truly desire what is best for her, and he must work for that best, regardless of the cost to himself.
The standard by which husbands are to love their wives is stated outright, and it’s a high standard, indeed: “Just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
The love of Christ took Him to the cross; the love of a husband for his wife will involve a similar giving of himself, even if the end result is not as bloody.
Such is the nature of true love that it is willing to sacrifice for the loved one. Such is the nature of marriage that God intends husbands to sacrifice for their wives.
This kind of love that my husband shows me allows me to be the woman, wife, daughter, sister, friend, athlete, coach, entrepreneur and Jesus follower that I am meant to be and to become!
As I was contemplating how free Brad’s devotion and love, as a husband, allows me to be and experience, it reminded me of the freedom I also have and experience in Christ Jesus!
‘Freedom in Christ Jesus’ refers to all that we as Christ followers encompass with liberation from sin, the law, and condemnation.
It invites us, as believers, to live in a loving relationship with God and others, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
It provides us to be freed to….
Worship Christ
Pray to Christ
Grow in Christ
Serve Christ
Venture out for Christ
This freedom we have access to is not merely a personal experience but a call to live out one's faith in community, reflecting the love and grace received through Christ.
Galatians 5:1 state, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free; stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
This verse emphasizes that Christ's sacrifice liberates believers from the constraints of the law and sin, encouraging them to embrace their newfound freedom without reverting to old ways.
Friends, as we married, we both had to learn to walk in a new way, together, releasing the ‘old ways’ we may have patterned in our previous marriages. These old ways and patterns will keep you back and we are called to VENTURE out for each other and for Christ in a bold and courageous way!
In my 1st marriage, I was held back from this freedom to live out the calling on my life. I was restrained from venturing out for Christ which put me in spiritual shackles.
Venturing can be risky, it takes faith… it is an undertaking of uncertainty. Removing myself from the danger of my 1st marriage, coupled with the observance of scripture, took risk, faith and trust that I was moving in the direction God pointed me.
With God though, we can have the assurance that He will sustain us if we are taking the action He is prompting us to take! And yes, He preserved my life..
Now, because of the goodness and faithfulness of God, I truly have peace and greatly appreciate the freedoms Brad and I experience together as a couple and as individuals.
It is incredible to walk this path, serving one another in love.
Galatians 5:13
For you, brothers (and sisters), were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
John 8:36 affirms, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
What a joy it is to experience this transformative power of Christ's freedom, which is not just a legalistic release but a profound spiritual change that impacts every aspect of a believer's life, together with my husband!
Shout out to my husband… he is currently out of town working .. I trust this will brighten his day as he reflects on our Freedoms together as a couple and mutually in Christ Jesus! Hurry home honey!
Oh, and yes, Happy 4th!!
Thanks for joining me on this Minutes with Monica message..
Live Radiantly… Today!
Monica
www.monicabrant.com
Love this! So beautiful and I can’t wait for your book Monica! 💕💕