"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." - Romans 12:10-12 (ESV)
I love these verses. They really stood out to me this morning as a call for the kind of love, support, and general action a couple (or any relationship for that matter) should have for/toward each other. And also just as an encouragement to me for the things I need to improve upon.
"Love one another." Easy to say, not always so easy to do. It takes constant work and devotion to the Father. What an amazing challenge: to love, not just love, but love consistently, unswervingly, and without condition.
"Outdo one another in showing honor." Just the idea of this is noble. Not as a competition, but as a constant desire to honor and respect one another more and more. Again, I am challenged.
"...Serve the Lord [with zeal]." Chase after God. Pursue Him more than you ever would your earthly love. Do anything, serve in ANY way when He calls you. That is my goal, the desire for my life. Though I am far from attaining that level of servanthood, I still hope for it and pray for it.
"Rejoice in hope," There is always hope that God provides in every situation, and we must seek it out and make the effort to rejoice in it. This is something with which I personally struggle. #challenge4
"Be patient in tribulation," Sooo hard, but oh, so worth it. They say patience is a virtue...sometimes I think it's a lifeline.
"Be constant in prayer." Something at which I also fail miserably. But I am encouraged again to make Christ a part of my every moment. To continue talking with Him and actually have conversation. LISTENING as well as speaking.
So now I begin trying apply these things to my life and my relationship(s).
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