9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ~Romans 12:9-12 (NIV)
In the NIV, this section of Romans 12 is entitled “Love in Action.”
Devoted. Defined as very loving or loyal. It also means “given over to the display, study, or discussion of.” (Oxford American Dictionaries)
As a child of the 70’s, when I hear that word, my brain automatically connects to the song “Hopelessly Devoted to You” in the movie Grease.
It’s the song of a broken heart and unrequited love. It’s a song of a love that loves no matter the response of the object of that love.
Maybe you find yourself brokenhearted today. If so, you have a special place in my prayers because you are worthy of being loved.
Maybe you are just in a hard place with your spouse right now. You know he loves you, but it just isn’t quite what your soul is longing for.
Or maybe you are doing ok in your marriage, but the cry of your heart is for it to be more than ok. You long for your marriage to be a love story that will inspire others to trust God for their own marriage.
No matter where you find yourself today, let me encourage you to take these words from Romans 12 to heart and put love in action today.
Love your husband with loyalty. Display your love openly. Become a student of your husband…his likes, dislikes…the little details of him as a unique and God-created man. Discuss your love for him with him and with others. It is a good thing to let your love be made known!
And pray. Trust. Hope.
Because God is faithful.
With love,
Rebecca
image by coreyp_1 via stock.xchang
