A Husband: The Little Things

This is not an obscure Bible verse that no one has heard.  It was probably quoted at most of the weddings you've attended, maybe even your own.  But I want to take this verse and look closely at it, because being able to fulfill it will allow you to become a more complete  Christian husband.

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"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her"
~Ephesians 5:25~

If I'm being honest, the first thing that came to my mind when I read this verse for, oh I don't know, the first one hundred times, was how it was my duty to die for my wife.  I could always think of situations that might happen one day that would require me to jump in front of a bullet to save her life by sacrificing my own.  Other husbands are probably not much different than me about this.  They would also be willing to die for their wives.  

But, why?

Simple.  Because all of our families, friends, church members, co-workers, and possibly our city would know or hear about what we did.  The story of the man who loved his wife so much that he laid down his life for her would become a thing of legend.  That husband would instantly go to celebrity status or, at the very least, be a hero to all who heard.  

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much..."
~Luke 16:10~

You see, dying for somebody else is a very big thing, and a lot of the time the big things are much easier to gather your resolve and do.  The little tedious things that come and go every day are quite a difference story.

Now don't get me wrong, I still would die for my wife if I needed to or could, but I no longer believe dying is the extent of "giving myself up" for my wife.

"28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies... 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church"
~Ephesians 5:29~

As a husband, claiming to be a follower of Christ, do you love your wife enough to give up the small things for her?  Ephesians 5:25 says to follow Jesus's example and give yourself up for her.  Well, Jesus did much more for his followers than die for them.  He gave up some very big things like Heaven and the presence of God the Father to come live among us.  He gave up His omnipotence to become a little baby, for us.  But, He also gave up the completeness He had in Heaven in order to experience hunger, thirst, exhaustion, and temptation.  He spent his time on earth teaching people, and caring for them and their needs on a daily basis.

By His example we need to do the same for our wives.  Give up ourselves for her to come closer to Jesus.  That may mean give up our time, which we hold so valuable, for her to go to Bible study or a woman's night out.  Maybe our money so she can attend a retreat or conference.  Maybe sacrificing watching the game coming on to focus on her and prove how important she is.  Although these little things won't matter to the rest of the world, doing them will mean the world to our wives...

​and be witnessed by our children.