Trust… in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17)

A common pattern in many marriages is the seeming inability to live in the present. It’s great to have special memories and to make big plans, but we need to remember that happiness takes place in the present, not in the past and not in the future.

When Jesus promised His believers abundant life (John 10:10), He was referring to this present life. We have enjoyed Christ’s abundance in the past, and we have the promise of abundant life in the future. But we’ve learned that the key to abundant happiness in our marriage is to live in the present.

In that same verse, Christ warned His followers that “the thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy”. How does the thief do that in our marriages? By keeping us in bondage to the past through hurt, anger and guilt, or by keeping us in bondage to the future through fear, anxiety and worry.

For too many years in our marriages, the thief robs us of God’s abundance. Gradually however, through our times of confession and forgiveness, the Lord does a healing work in our relationship.

We want to challenge couples to go out for a time to talk with this ground rule: no talking about anything in the past or in the future, only about the present. Just talk about your love and appreciation for one another. We encourage you to live in and enjoy “now”.

ACTION ASSIGNMENT
What about each day and each moment can you and your spouse focus on and enjoy?

PRAYER: Father, remind my spouse and me to see each day, each moment, as a gift from You for us to enjoy. In Jesus’ name, amen.