Marriage is a mystery, miracle, sacrament and a modern tragedy. A man shall leave mother and father and cleave to his wife and the two shall become one. The one they become is something new, something neither one brought to the relationship from the ordinary world. Marriage is not an advanced version of the Mating Game.
Marriage brings realism to Christ’s enthralling and respectful
promise. “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
Unfortunately the one out of two marriages ending in divorce is the same
statistic for believers as it is for the secular world. The until death do
us part vow becoming as meaningful as a political smokescreen.
The recent hullabaloo over who should have the right to marry has
obliterated any concept of what the marriage rite ought to entail. I’m
not referring to x’s and o’s. The husband will lay down his life, and
his video games, for his bride and dwell with her with understanding,
giving her honor and gentleness, as they inherit the grace of life
together.
Compassion and courtesy, courage, conviction and countless
conversations intertwine to bring about that too rare peace in the
home so that nothing will hinder prayers, hopes and dreams. The
blessings a couple receive in matrimony are to bless others as we
witness what God has brought together.
Since I am a Christian it is assumed, and often demanded, that I take
a public stand against same sex marriage and abortion. Ought to be
easy as pie, but the insistence rankles me. Seems to me if Christian
husbands were doing more of what Christ expects us to do neither of
these issues would be able to grab a headline, let alone dictate a
presidential election. It is men not taking responsibility for
creating ‘unwanted’ pregnancies in the first place that is swept under
the carpet in the finger pointing diatribes that control our airwaves
and roadside demonstrations.
My answer might not suit many of my faithful, or unfaithful, friends
and associates, but when I’m asked about abortion or same sex marriage
I reply, “I thank God that my parents didn’t have either one, and I’ll
bet if you search your heart, you’re glad yours didn’t either.”
Marriage has a dignity and a devotion lost to our culture. As Christ’s
bride to be, our obligation, our opportunity, is to beam with His light
as He lifts the bridal veil between worlds and reveals us as glorious, holy,
not having spot, wrinkle, blemish or any such thing.
The wedding banquet of eternity will hold still as the breath of
angels when God the Father turns to Jesus and says the words that will
make our world complete.
“You may kiss Your bride.”
Great post, great truths…spoken clearly and In love! Thanks for sharing!