So often we see life as a burden to be carried or a tyrant to be obeyed. It should be the other way around. God intends us to be in charge. It is possible to live the kind of life that God wants us to live. His will for us is that we live a quality life–not a second-rate existence. Unfortunately, it is all too easy for us to settle for mediocrity.
Over the years, Vanessa and I conducted regular Marriage Joy seminars. We chose the name for these carefully as we really believe that joy should be an integral part of marriage.
Hundreds of couples attended these seminars and it was exciting to receive feedback from time to time of people who learned how to lift their relationship from being ordinary to being extraordinary.
On the other hand, it was sad to see those who had accepted a dull, average relationship–especially those who have given up and simply didn’t want to try any more.
It was always rewarding to observe couples who were at the point of giving up, with renewed faith, making a fresh start.
Now they could reign in life through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17,21).
To read more on this topic see Living in the Image of God, Barry Chant (Miranda: Tabor, 2012 available in eBook and Paperback) from which this edited extract is taken.