By: Allie Joy Hudson
3 min. read
Anniversary Reflections
Today is my wedding anniversary! My husband, Michael, and I are celebrating three years of marriage! As I reflect on what these past years have looked like, I feel so grateful. God has shown us more of Himself and His character. He has provided and protected. He is good, trustworthy, loving, and faithful.
The word that God keeps bringing to my mind today is “reputation.” We have a reputation as individuals, as a married couple, and as followers of Jesus. We can pray that the reputation we have would be something that honors God.
Here are some thoughts on these things:
As Individuals
Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is to be more desired than great wealth; / Favor is better than silver and gold.”
When I think about my husband, I am struck by the reputation he has. So many people comment about his steadfastness, his steady, positive presence, and the wisdom that he offers. Michael has a reputation as an encourager, and I’m so proud of him for that. I’m proud to be the wife of such a godly and kind man.
The way that we carry ourselves, interact with others, and even the thoughts that we have cement our reputation. May they all reflect Jesus.
Related: Using Your Words to Encourage Your Spouse
In Our Marriage
Michael and I pray that our marriage will point to the Lord and His love, and that it will be an encouragement to everyone around us. As the New Testament often mentions, especially in passages such as Ephesians 5, human marriage is to be a picture of the relationship between Jesus (as the husband) and His Church (the bride).
The way that Michael and I speak to and about each other should reflect the loving speech of Jesus about His people. We need to serve, love, and mutually submit to one another. Jesus prays in John 17 that the world would know us because of the way we love, care for, and are united with one another.
Our love for each other is possible because of the Holy Spirit working in both of us. And as He works in us, the way we treat each other ultimately reflects Him. Even amidst conflict and hardship, our marriage is to be a light in a world that values marriage and God less and less.
As Followers of Christ
Our individual reputations and the reputations of our marriages are very important. But the most important thing that we can and should be known by is our love for Jesus, which colors all of our other relationships.
As Christ followers, the way that we live our lives looks totally different than those not under His rule and love. Though we are certainly not without sin, we are under grace. God calls us to repentance and to lives of ever-changing growth and sanctification. We reflect the attributes of God as the fruit of His Spirit pours out of us. Instead of hopelessness, God fills us with His hope and with purpose and strength for each new day.
May our marriages be clear pictures of Him.
By Our Love
As I was writing this, the words to a Jars of Clay song that I hadn’t heard in years ran through my mind: “They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. They will know we are Christians by our love.”
The way we carry ourselves, love our spouses, and love the Lord are all a powerful witness for God. Today, ask Him for His help and strength to do these things well. May your reputation be one that honors Him and causes people to see something different, His Holy Spirit, in us.
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Allie Joy Hudson is first and foremost a daughter of the King. She has worked with Proven for three and a half years and serves as the Content Manager. Allie graduated from Liberty University with a B.A. in English and minors in Spanish and Psychology. She completed her Senior Honors Thesis on the presentation of postmodern sexuality in short fiction. She enjoys reading, writing, playing the viola, running, singing, and photography. Allie is passionate about her ever-growing C.S. Lewis collection, cultivating relationships, and proclaiming truth in the twisted arena of postmodern sexuality. Allie lives in Pennsylvania and is overjoyed to be married to the love of her life.