After the excitement and drama of leaving Egypt, God begins to direct the Israelites in how to live and then in how to build His tabernacle. I have to admit that when I got to that part in chapter 25, I was feeling like a architect and not loving it but I pressed on. I was awestruck by the first set of plans He gave them. They were not for the altar, or the tents, or the lamp but for the Ark of Covenant, which would house the ten commandments, and the atonement cover. He gave very specific instructions for what to us would be a lid and it changed me instantly. He wanted the covering to be made of gold and on top He said to put two angels facing each other with their wings spread above it, protecting it. This immediately brought to mind my marriage. I pictured Ryan and I as the angels and inside our ark would be our most precious gifts, our boys. I could see us facing each other united in our goal to protect and keep them from harm or hurt. In order to complete our assignment we have to stay facing each other, united and strong not only in our love for the gifts but also in our love for each other. I wrote down this enlightenment and shared it with Ryan and we both enjoyed the thought. Then, a few days later, I discovered another great insight. Not only did this sacred ark house the ten commandments but it was also where God spoke directly to Moses. When Moses chatted with the awesome I Am he did so through this container with the angel lid. How amazing is that?! I was once again moved that God was taking a moment to remind that we are not just husband and wife and mom and dad but that He is speaking to us through the gifts of our marriage and our kids. I find this true all the time. It is so often through my family that I hear God. It is not by accident that I am married to that man and that we have those kids. God arranged, ordained, and planned it perfectly because He is such a great gift giver.
Ryan and I are two very different people. My love language is acts of service. That is his last, almost impossible for him to do. I also like gifts and words of encouragement, my last is quality time. Guess what his first is? He loves to spend time just hanging out and I never do "nothing". I am constantly going. He loves naps. I get angry if I nap. He is quiet. I am not. With all this being said, God put us together as a sacred union. He made the two of us one. He speaks to us, through us, and needs us united in our marriage even when it seems like we are not enough.
In closing, I want to share that I hesitated in sharing this post. I argued with God for a solid week about it. I don't want to set the impression that my marriage or any marriage is perfect but it is worth it and it is a very large part of where I see God working and I hear God speaking to me. The Ark of the Covenant was made of gold and for me I see that as God's hand in my marriage. The Ark was kept in the Most Holy Place. I think God made a most holy place in my heart for Ryan and I am grateful that He keeps us always together working for Him and by His strength.
Ryan and I are two very different people. My love language is acts of service. That is his last, almost impossible for him to do. I also like gifts and words of encouragement, my last is quality time. Guess what his first is? He loves to spend time just hanging out and I never do "nothing". I am constantly going. He loves naps. I get angry if I nap. He is quiet. I am not. With all this being said, God put us together as a sacred union. He made the two of us one. He speaks to us, through us, and needs us united in our marriage even when it seems like we are not enough.
In closing, I want to share that I hesitated in sharing this post. I argued with God for a solid week about it. I don't want to set the impression that my marriage or any marriage is perfect but it is worth it and it is a very large part of where I see God working and I hear God speaking to me. The Ark of the Covenant was made of gold and for me I see that as God's hand in my marriage. The Ark was kept in the Most Holy Place. I think God made a most holy place in my heart for Ryan and I am grateful that He keeps us always together working for Him and by His strength.
beautiful thoughts Rachel. Surely--God has given you a gift to write and to see things not everyone sees. I have found myself loving the simplicity of simply reading the Bible lately and letting God do the work of using it in my life. And he does from Exodus to Acts--it is living and active...amen? And I am glad to hear that you see Ryan as husband, because I still chuckle thinking of you all calling each other Mom and Dad. Cracks. Me. Up.
ReplyDeletei still call him dad, although it confuses my dad something fierce!
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