The following is an excerpt from Love for Life 2007 conducted by Robert and Wendy Birt (used by permission)
What is Marriage?
"Marriage resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they cannot be separated, often moving in opposite directions yet always punishing anyone who comes between them. Is Marriage a private action of two persons in love, or a public act of two pledging a contract? Neither, it is something other, very much other!! Basically, the Christian view of marriage is not that it is primarily or essentially a binding legal and social contract. The Christian understands marriage as a covenant made under God and in the presence of fellow members of the Christian family. Such a pledge endures, not because of the force of law or the fear of its actions, but, because an unconditional covenant has been made. A covenant more solemn, more binding, more permanent than any legal contract. Marriage is a system by means of which persons who are sinful and contentious are so caught up by a dream and a purpose bigger than themselves that they work through the years, in spite of repeated disappointments, to make the dream come true. Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman, intended by God to be a monogamous relationship, intended to be a permanent bond in which many needs are satisfied. The need for love and to be loved, the need for deep friendship, for sharing, for companionship, for sexual satisfaction, for children, and the need to escape loneliness. Marriage should be a bond of love, reflecting the love Christ has for his people, a bond of sacrificial love where husband and wife have become one. One flesh, a unity."
(emphasis mine)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Cathi,
It would be interesting to hear from married couples - particularly those who have been married for a while - on how they keep their relationship "fresh" and "interesting". How do you make it through the periods where you are just tired of the other person or bored? How do you rejuvenate? How do you stay committed? Specific tactics would be great. We all know it is commanded and it's a covenant, but on that day-to-day level over years, how do people make it work?
Look forward to hearing more. Maybe people could share their thoughts in a separate post? Whatever format you think makes sense...
Thanks!
ks
Thanks Keri, hopefully your suggestion will be heeded :)
"Marriage is a system by means of which persons who are sinful and contentious are so caught up by a dream and a purpose bigger than themselves that they work through the years, in spite of repeated disappointments, to make the dream come true."
Can you please explain the above comment from the article? What does sinful and contentious have to do with it and how does that explain the couple's drive to make the dream come true?
Thanks in advance!!
Keri,
In answer to your question (from my perspective, others are welcome to chime in!): When I accept that I have "issues", and can argue with the best of them, because I believe in my marital relationship. I will put forth MY ALL to make this relationship work. Everybody knows anything worth having takes effort. (I guess that has something to do with making you more appreciative?)
Does that make sense?
Post a Comment