The Art of Marrying Up (and Down)

Over the last two years, my wife has been teaching an adult education program for men and women 18 years old and older who are attempting to go back and get their GED. Many of these individuals have recently lost their jobs and Sarah would spend her days aiding their renewed academic needs.

 And she was amazing at it. One hundred percent of her students took and passed the GED. She was so amazing, that she was a weekly winner of the Golden Apple Teacher of the Week award for excellence in teaching. This resulted in some very kind gifts and a trip last week to Greenville for the Awards Ceremony for the teacher of the year presented by WYFF4 News and Bi-Lo. At this ceremony, it was announced that Sarah was one of five finalists for teacher of the year and as a result she received a sweet little trophy, got some pictures with some newscasters, and got a 200 dollar gift certificate to Bi-Lo. Needless to say she was deserving of the award and was honored to be recognized in this fashion.

At the same time, I decided that it would be fun to run in my first race – a little 5K around the campus at Clemson. I got last Saturday and ran (or jogged) in all my glory. My goal was simply to finish the race, which I did…barely. There was no need to stay for the awards ceremony, since I finished right between the 80 year old lady and the 85 year old man. So last week, I got a package in the mail from the company that put on the race with this inside.

My trophy was about as impressive as my running ability.

Now, one of a couple of things is true:

Sarah got a trophy, formal pictures, and 200 dollars.

I got a cup with puff paint on it.

Now my cup did have some M&M’s and Nerds in it…I guess to aid in my failure again next year.

As I compared the trophys, I reflected on the goodness of God to me in the gift of a wife who quite simply is much cooler than I am in every way. I was reminded of how far I did marry up.

I was also reminded of something our pastor in Wake Forest said in reflecting on the text in Ephesians 5 that describes God’s love for his church in the form of marital love. In this passage, God is described as a groom with a compelling, life-giving love for his bride. Commenting on this text, our pastor reminded us that of all the people in the world, Jesus did not marry up.

His love for me (and you) is the ultimate act of marrying down. In spite of my sin and foolishness, I have a God who chose to enter into a relationship with me that epitomizes the art of marrying down. And to make it better – He chose me. He chose to enter into relationship with me.

I am thankful today for a great marriage that paints a picture for me of a heavenly reality that is mind-boggling.

Thank you Jesus for marrying down.