JUST MARRIED
Have you ever seen the happy faces of newlyweds as they pull away from a crowd of well-wishers bestowing blessings of blissfulness?
It's exciting to see a couple starting out so happy. Isn't it? However, somewhere along the line that happiness can sometimes turn to horror over a period of time.
Suddenly, June Cleaver doesn't enjoy making her hubby's favorite meatloaf nor does she feel like vacuuming in high heels, emptying dishwasher, putting away laundry, or picking up Mr. Cleaver's dirty boxers off the floor.
Mr. Cleaver begins working later and later, rarely home, he periodically text to check on things, but hardly ever calls anymore.
Mrs. Cleaver spends too much time on social media to distract her from the responsibilities that weigh her down. Mr. Cleaver has basically removed himself from the household responsibility scene altogether using work as an excuse.
Mrs. Cleaver and Mr. Cleaver drift into a catatonic relationship and eventually fade away.
I know this all sounds so depressing, but unfortunately it is too often true. People don't try as hard these days to stay in communication with one another on a personal level..i.e. phone call...personal touch...a kind gesture, a gift. Has your marriage become just a Facebook status? Are you "just married"? Or do you put your best effort forward to keep the spark alive, thriving in a relationship that you can't imagine living without?
I thought of how marriage is such a holy union of two lives merging together as one. It was never meant to be lived in an emotional state of emptiness.
Genesis 2:22-24
Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
It was never meant to be a union separated...nor did God ordain a multiple choice type of marriage.
A. Abandon spouse emotionally and physically when you feel like it
B. Break up over bills
C. Cheat when you fall out of "love"
D. Divorce when your tired of each other
One of the Hebrew meanings of the word marriage below, means TO STAY!
`agan aw-gan' --stay.
Oh dear Lord...that is a tough one! I say this because I can honestly state that I spent half my life with one foot out the door during my marriage. I didn't have the stick-to-it-ability as strongly as I do now. I still have a small duffel bag half packed on nightstand. I packed up to leave so many times, I didn't bother unpacking it the last time, and that was nearly over a year ago. I've been married for nearly 18 years and its had its bumps in the road. More like craters! However, God has been the only solid foundation that has held our sometimes fragile family together. When I think of marriage, I think about our relationship with Christ. There is no one without the other.
The symbolism of marriage applies to Christ and the body of believers AKA, the church. In Ephesians 5:25-27, Christ explained as the Bridegroom, lovingly, and sacrificially chose the church as His bride. Just as there was a betrothal period in biblical times during which the bride and groom were separated for a period of time till the wedding, so is the bride of Christ separate from her Bridegroom until the their final wedding. It is her responsibility during the betrothal period to be faithful to Him 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:24 At the Second Coming of Christ, the church will be united with the Bridegroom, where the official "wedding ceremony" will take place, the eternal union of Christ and His bride will be actualized
Revelation 19:7-9;21:1-2 As a believer and bride to be, we the church should be waiting with great anticipation and walking in a faithful manner Revelation 22:20 not merely as "just" believers, but followers, and doers. Same goes for your earthly marriage. I always tell my spouse and children, "actions speak louder then words". Say what you mean, and do what you say!
Are we faithful in our vows of marriage to Christ? Do we exude Christ to those around us? Would people know we were Christ Bride without our Facebook status, or Bible in hand? Do others know that your devoted to your spouse? Or is it too, just a FB status? Remember the butterflies in your stomach, the overwhelming joy "just married" to your soul mate? Do you remember that feeling when you gave your life completely over to Christ as He courted you, and placed the ring of life around your heart, the engagement of eternity? Oh where did the love go? Life with either your spouse or Christ was meant to be lived relational, engaging, communicating, inspiring, encouraging, enjoying, and passionately pursuing the goal of God. In God's own words...go back to your first love, that first moment of being "Just Married". -Brenda
“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! -Revelation 2:4 (NLT)
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