“We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”   2 Corinthians 4:7

 I was listening to Christian radio in my car recently, when a song came on with a title that really piqued my interest.  It was entitled, “Dear Younger Me,” by Mercy Me. The lyrics didn’t all apply to me, but I began to think, “What would I tell myself if I were 20 years old again?”  What would I do over?  What would I change?  Would I be a different wife to my husband?  What would my life look like if I had made other choices and not tried to follow the Lord?

Dear Younger Me, I would begin by asking the Lord for “wisdom.”  Wisdom comes from God alone.  James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”  When we ask God, He gives generously.  He doesn’t say, “Well, you asked for wisdom yesterday and you didn’t do what I told you, so you’re not getting any more today!!”  No, our gracious Lord gives in abundance and wisdom is better than rubies or diamonds.  And when you ask for wisdom, also ask for understanding.  Then, take God at His Word and trust Him!

Secondly, Dear Younger Me, I would understand what God has to say about marriage in Ephesians 5:21-33.  I call it “Marriage 101.”  If couples would understand the relationship God wants, they would avoid a lot of grief.  Honor your husband, let him be the leader and support him every way you can.  The more you let him lead, the more responsible he will become and you will help him be the man God meant him to be.  That’s not to say he will make all the decisions without consulting you.  You are his “helper,” the same word as the Holy Spirit.  You will see a problem from a feminine perspective that will be foreign to him, and vice versa.  Listen to each other, without anger.  Don’t go forward until you are both in agreement, then, go forward together.  Many harmful decisions are made when one is “called” to a ministry and the other is not.  Wait for each other and go forward as one.

Thirdly, Dear Younger Me, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 has some cool things to say about marriage.  “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor; if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up…a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  Putting Christ at the center of your marriage is the BIG ONE!  As believers, we have that wonderful opportunity to let God be the third strand.  He weaves His Holy spirit in our lives to conform us to be like Jesus.  He wants us to “look like” his Son.  And two are better than one!  Two can accomplish more together than they can alone!

Lastly, Dear Younger Me, we have a treasure in jars of clay!  The Contemporary English Version says, “We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored.  The real power comes from God and not from us.  We often suffer, but we are never crushed.  Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up.  In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again.”  2 Cor. 4:7.  There will be difficult days, but the Lord never leaves us – don’t stay down long, get back up again and go forward in God’s strength!  Life is an adventure from beginning to end!!!

Here’s the benediction from the song by Mercy Me:  “You are holy, you are righteous, you are one of the redeemed.  Set apart, a brand new heart, you are free indeed!  Every mountain, every valley, through each heartache you will see.  Every moment brings you closer, to who you were meant to be, Dear Younger Me.”

Your friend Jean

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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