Equally Yoked?
I Thought We Were!

by Sher Stacey

At the age of 20 and even before
I understood what being equally yoked was all about,
I was at the altar marrying a man I thought would bring me closer to God. In my immaturity, I equated church going with that of being a Christian—I was wrong—I was also, not saved.

I know what you are thinking. "This is going to be another story about a Christian man and his unbelieving wife and how she came to Christ." I wish that were the story I am about to tell you.

I began my search for God just before marriage. My new husband was a churchgoer so I felt satisfied that I had married well. I certainly felt equally yoked. For years, we went through our Sunday routine. We attended church sporadically especially on all the big holidays. We truly felt like we were doing all necessary to please the Almighty. However, after my children came along, I felt the need and parental responsibility to educate them in the ways of religion. So began a real search for a God I could not see.

He found me instead, in a little denominational Bible study not far from our home. When it came time to give my life truly to Jesus, I did not hesitate.

Unfortunately, there is often a big difference between religion and a true walk with the Lord. In a manner of speaking, my husband and I became unequally yoked in a different way. He still believed in God and thought his denominational ties guaranteed his way into heaven. He did not feel church attending was necessary for his spiritual growth, neither did he want fellowship with anyone. That included me.

Great turmoil became a way of life, for all four of us. My idea of being equally yoked, fell by the wayside. My source of strength and wonder came from the Bible. Conversation about new things I learned was out of bounds for discussion in our household. My husband became a very angry person as the rift between us grew. That anger affected my children sorely. Then one day, He left.

The Bible tells us that if the unbelieving spouse is content to stay with the believing spouse, then stay. “For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.” It goes on to say, “But if the unbelieving partner separates,let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.”

For seven years, I did all within my power to love him the way the Bible teaches. There was a hope in my heart to one day be equally yoked with him. I admit I was not perfect at walking in the things of the Lord, especially when I watched the verbal abuse my children suffered at his hands. So when my husband left us…I let him go…for good.

The beauty of that unhappy moment was that I had peace! My girls were sad not to have their father, but there was peace. Life was not easy, but there was peace.

I have been single now for over 11 years. My girls are all grown and on their own. One is married and one is pursuing a career. Both are happy and resolved. Most importantly, both know the Lord and are growing in their walk with Him each day. I am overwhelmed with Gods provision for us over the years and His continued faithfulness in each of our lives. I still pray for my ex-husband and still believe that God will save him in His timing. Until then…I continue to trust the Lord in his and his new wife’s life. And I trust him to bring me the man of His choosing if that is His will. To this I say, “I will wait”…………………

Further Information about being Equally Yoked

Webster’s defines righteousness as:

1. Purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine law. Righteousness as used in Scripture and theology, in which it is chiefly used, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law. It includes all we call justice, honesty and virtue, with holy affections; in short, it is true religion.
2. Applied to God, the perfection or holiness of his nature; exact rectitude;faithfulness.
3. The active and passive obedience of Christ, by which the law of God is fulfilled. Dan 9.
4. Justice; equity between man and man. Luke 1.
5. The cause of our justification.

Sher is owner and operator of
Hidden Treasures Upscale Consignment
store in Kirksville, MO
(660)665-0011

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