"Love Cherishes," Part 1

We begin exploring an intriguing theme today - “Love cherishes”. I will use two sources to look at this from different angles, the first coming from “The Love Dare”.

The Kendricks start with a story of two men. One has an old car that frequently needs repairs. When told it requires a complete overhaul, he decides it is not worth any further investment. He parts with it and gets a new one.

The second man has his hand mangled in an accident. He is rushed to the hospital where he is willing to do whatever it takes to preserve it, including a painful recovery and spending his life savings.

Both men made seemingly reasonable choices. Unfortunately, the world often treats marriage like the first scenario — a discardable possession. If you frequently suffer relational problems, society urges you to ‘trade in’ your spouse for someone else. This view fails to appreciate the bond between a husband and wife.

Christian marriage is like the second scenario. Rather than lose something valuable, we do whatever we can to save it. Your spouse should be viewed this way because God joined the two of you to become one — physically, emotionally and spiritually. Relationships often start this way, however things can change as you become aware of being married to an imperfect spouse. But they are still a part of you.

Ephesians 5:28-29 (ESV) says, “Husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves his own self; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it.” This is addressed to husbands, however wives should remember they too vowed to “love and cherish”. Biblical cherishing is a special type of caring, similar to that of a mother warming her newborn baby. One way this can be shown is by speaking our spouse’s 'love language’. Kind words, unselfish acts of love and even physical touches are possible examples.

But there is also a downside. If you mistreat your spouse, you are mistreating yourself as well. What they feel, good or bad, will affect you. Attacking them is like attacking your own body.

You and your spouse are one. If your spouse is suffering with issues that cause pain or frustration, then love and cherish them as you would a bodily injury. Be an instrument that helps bring warmth and healing to their life. Remember to love them as you love yourself. Treat them well, speak highly of them and cherish them as the love of your life.

Next week, we will hear what Gary Thomas has to say about cherishing. I like saving the best for last!

Fred