Friday, July 22, 2011

"UNITY BEGINS WITH TWO"


Good Evening to All!

I'm definitely getting a late start on posting. For some reason all I wanted to do today was sleep! I guess it's the heat.

Tonight's devotion finds me thinking about marriage commitment (or the lack there of).

Some Pharisees wanted to test Jesus. They came up to him and asked, "Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?"

Jesus answered, "Don't you know that in the beginning the Creator made a man and a woman? that's why a man leaves his father and mother and gets married. He becomes like one person with his wife. Then they are no longer tow people, but one. And no one should separate a couple that God has joined together."

The Pharisees asked Jesus, "why did Moses say that a man could write out divorce papers and send his wife away?"

Jesus replied, "You are so heartless! That's why Moses allowed you to divorce your wife. But from the beginning God did not intend it to be that way."
Matthew 19:3-8 CEV (Contemporary English Version)

Fast food and microwaves give way to the thinking that everything should be instant, easy and convenient. Marriage is not that way, and never has been, I'm sure. God made us each with different personalities and this causes complexity.

Marriage is something that takes a lot of work, commitment, and patience. Especially nowadays when the frame of mind is "oh well, if we don't get along we can always get a divorce". It seems like people are setting themselves up to fail when having that attitude. Granted, a lot has to do with the reason for getting married in the first place. I am a prime "example". It took me 3 marriages for it to work. My present hubby and I have been together for 25 years as of this past July 4th. Even in the beginning this marriage was rocky. When two strong personalities get together, the union takes a lot of give and take from both partners.

It seems as though people don't want to work at it anymore. They would rather either go through one of those "online dating services" that compare your personalities and find your date for you, then hopefully it's the right match and you get married and live happily ever after, or they go into the marriage with an "escape route" already mapped out just in case.

The legalistic Pharisees continually tested Jesus and challenged Him to answer their trick questions. In the passage above, Jesus doesn't dwell on divorce, but speaks to the heart of marriage and the mindset of couples who want to stay together. We need to leave our birth families as our prime emotional connection to be free to develop new bonds. Two individuals must get to know each other well enough to become of the same mind. They are to be united, or yoked. Oxen yoked together learned to move together in the same direction. In marriage we need time and practice with one another to develop a lasting attachment.

Divorce means a turning away, or apart, from one another. When one or both spouses start to move away in mind or spirit, they pull and tear apart the oneness. God doesn't want couples breaking apart. He designed marriage, and he is still the glue to join a man and woman in unity. Nurture your togetherness with listening, dating, encouragement, and unselfish acts of kindness.

For some reason, it seems as though people would rather take the "quick fix" of divorce (no matter who it hurts namely the children), then going to God and sincerely asking for His help. After all, He created us, He created marriage, and He IS love. If we would give Him a chance and listen to what He tells our spirits and abide by it, I have faith that a lot of heartache and marriages would be saved and revived. Remember, God is a Miracle Worker.

Usually, instant food, fast food and microwaved food is not nearly as tasty as food that is patiently prepared with time and effort. The same with relationships.

Ref. "The 365 Most Important Bible Passages for Women" by Faith Words.

Good Night to All and May God Bless.

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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

PJ
I really enjoyed reading this post. This is a subject that is hard for me, being divorced. When I went through that time in my life, I did not have God in my life, He was there, I just didn't acknowledge him. After that time was when I found God waiting for me. I struggle with knowing divorce wasn't right. I am happier now then ever in my new marriage, your right, its not always easy, but divorce isnt the right answer in most marriages. I guess I am saying we have to open our hearts to God to make our marriage work. (Look who is wordy now :)
God Bless,
Marianne

Anonymous said...

No PJ, Your Devotion did Not step on my toes, sorry if it came across that way. This is a subject that I struggle with & look for answers about, and like you mentioned as well, when God isn't in your heart and things get tough,it's hard to make it work. If marriage was easy there would be no divorce I guess. I really enjoyed reading your input. Thank You!!
God Bless
Marianne

Anonymous said...

Hi PJ,
Do you have the bible verse about the "there will be no marriages in heaven"? My first marriage was through the catholic church, I think this is my biggest struggle. sigh. Working on it though :)
Thanks,
Marianne