For more inspiration, visit Loveshaped.Life.

Hi, I’m Pastor Nathan Stearman and for the next 30 days I’ll be sharing with you a brief, daily reflection that I’m calling 30 Days to a Better Marriage. I’ll be highlighting some of my favorite Biblical insights into creating and enjoying rich, deep marital companionship. Not married? Not to worry, you’ll find these insights helpful in a wide array of human relationships. It’s going to be an exciting journey! On a side note, All Scripture quoted is from the New King James Version of the Bible, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Let’s begin!

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

John. 1 John 4:7. So this is where it all begins, this first day of 30 Days to a Better Marriage. Love. God’s love, is the foundation of every good marriage, every lasting relationship. But there’s a catch—our own, fallen hearts, are bent inward, toward self-interest. Just take a minute sometime, and reflect on how many things you do, that are in some way motivated by self-interest. Marriage challenges us to embrace a different kind of love—a love we were made for, a love God can give birth to in our fallen hearts. A love that displaces our own self-interest, with an other-centered, self-giving spirit. And in the marriage equation, receiving that love from its Source—the heart of God—is absolutely essential. We cannot replicate it on our own. Period, so don’t even try, just live as close to the Source as you possibly can. Every day.