Those of you who know me, know I love sports. I loved playing football and baseball, and I love watching any game the remote finds on our television. When I think about sports, I often think about marriage. My wife may not like the analogy; but, it is how I relate.
Many people go through married life believing it is a 50-50 relationship. On the outside it sounds pretty good; however, when you dissect that 50%, it falls short.
Biblical love calls us to meet much more than 50% of our obligation in a marriage. It isn’t about you giving your 50 and your spouse giving his or her 50.
Have you ever heard a coach call out from the dugout, “Hey! Sanchez! Give me your 12% or I’m pulling you off the mound!” If you consider there are 9 members on the team, following the marriage model of 50-50, that’s what each player would contribute. 12%? I don’t think it would be a winning season, do you?
When we get into the “you do your part and I’ll do mine,” expectations are never met. You start thinking your 50% is tougher or you’re giving more than 50 and your spouse is giving less.
Biblical love asks, “How can I be what you need me to be?”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.”
Now that sounds more like a team, doesn’t it? When such words as never and always are used, there is no other way except through 100% of self. Love is sacrificial; love is customer service at its very best; love begins with the question, “What can I do to make your life what you need it to be?”
Today, pray about your marriage. What percentage of yourself are you giving? It may be time to turn up the service meter inside you to 100%.
