One
of the most meaningful experiences of my life occurred when my wife and
I were married. At the conclusion of the ceremony, we shared our first
communion. This was more than just a "pretty " part we decided to add to
the ceremony, but a real symbol of the goal of our lives and our
new relationship with each other.
Both
Yvonne and I were born-again Christians and had committed our lives to
Jesus Christ before we began dating. As individuals, we were committed
to following Him and living according to His Word. When we married we pledged
ourselves to each other and our goal became to follow Jesus together instead
of separately. This in no way implies that we lost our individuality or
personhood. Instead, we became one in purpose as well as in flesh.
In
our love for God we had committed our lives into His care. An area that
we were both concerned about, as most young people are, was who our life
partner would be. God was concerned too! In
1
Peter 5:7 the Bible says, "we
are to cast all of our cares upon Him, because He cares for us."
So, prior to our meeting, God brought a young man from the mid-west all
the way to California. In His own time and in His own way God brought the
two of us together.
At
the moment of our marriage, we pledged ourselves, before God, to be true
to each other, and together to be true to Him. Our sharing of communion
was our first act as a married couple. This sharing symbolized our commitment
to follow Christ
together. The Bible, in Ecclesiastes
4:9-10 puts it well when it says,
"Two
are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For
if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow..."
Marriage
is more than two people coming together for a while. It's the union of
two individuals to make a whole. In the beginning God said, "It is not
good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."
God united the first husband and wife, and continues to do so today, if
we allow Him to.
Marriage
is also much more than two lonely people coming together. It's two people
helping each other along life's road to become all that God intended them
to be. It's two people, together following God, and doing all He intends
for them to do.
Without
God marriage is at best an armed truce between two people hoping to "get
along" and perhaps raise a family before life comes to an end. All too
often this truce breaks into open warfare and what could have been a happy,
fulfilling relationship ends in failure and divorce. A marriage with God
as the central unifying force, becomes a growing experience, an adventure
in life, a meaningful experience for both partners.
If
you are wanting to get married, planning your wedding, or already married
but feeling your relationship foundering or just going nowhere, consider
allowing God to come into your lives and make your marriage and your lives
what He intended them to be. God cares about you! What goals do you have
for your marriage?
In
the magazine "Marriage and Family Living" Emily Sargent Councilman wrote
the following poem entitled,
"Touched
by God's Love"
Joined
with Christ, we are one.
Choosing to follow together,
Clasping hands, meeting eyes,
Touched by God's love forever.
We bring our caring and thanks to Him;
We bring our lives together.
Joined with Christ, we are one,
Touched by God's love forever.
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