Top X July 23, 2025 Devotional

MATTHEW 5:16 | ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine     before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Some view monogamous life-long marriage as an impediment to self-expression and restraint on spontaneous desire. I see it as a channel for those desires, directing them to my best possibilities, and to greater ends. One of those ends is the encouragement and inspiration that fully committed partnerships provide to others.

I recently performed celebration of life services for two individuals who had marriages of 70 plus years. Both had living legacies of children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One had cared for his spouse through dementia. The other had been cared for as he faced but defied disease himself. The sanctuary on both occasions was full of people who had been blessed by these marriages. Promises kept are a delight and not mere duty. They encourage all who witness them in promise keeping.

Have you been inspired by seeing promises kept?

Gracious God,

Remind me that one true example is worth a thousand words. Help me to be such example to others.

Amen.