Marriage - Leading the Pursuit

This has been a year that I have personally devoted to making my own marriage all that it could be. The continual pursuit of love may not always be easy, but it is worth it. When I began to understand how much security my wife and children found in this one relationship, the work took on a whole new meaning. The following are the lyrics to a song by Sanctus Real entitled "Lead Me." Please take time to read the words of the song and allow God to speak to you.

Lead Me ~ Sanctus Real

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I'm called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Here's what I believe every home and marriage deserves:

Men who are willing to lead. That's right men. God has given us the authority in the home. This authority allows us to lead in the continual pursuit of love.

Men who are willing to give and show love. This should probably go without saying, but some men are simply cut off emotionally. I realize that emotions can get messy at times but these people living in our houses need love.

Men who are willing to give their best. We cannot allow our marriages to become another thing we do. We have to give it full attention. Only our best will do. When we take this step, we will discover that marriage can be enjoyed rather than just endured.

Men who are willing to humble themselves before God. Only as I humble myself before God can I hope to love, forgive, and give of myself completely to the home. I have to find God's heart for my family. Then I get to display that heart everyday. This isn't easy and we might fail from time to time. However, we just continue to lean on God.

While I have dealt primarily with the men, it doesn't leave the women without work to do. These men need someone who will be a help-mate. They need encouragement, support, and respect through the process. They don't need whining or nagging. They need prayer so that they can fulfill God's plan. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and the wives are to submit unto the husband as to the Lord. We both have responsibilities in this marriage thing. It is a partnership of mutual love, mutual respect, mutual submission, and mutual pursuit.

How do we start this process in our marriages? How do we leave the failed system and get into the one that works?
1) Submit our marriage unto God
2) Forgive any and all mistakes and issues
3) Go at it with everything we have. We have got to sell out!!!
4) Don't quit. Too often we start well but don't finish strong. Don't give up.
5) Enjoy the journey. God longs to bless this union. Walk with Him and watch Him work.