Marriages that work take work. The grass isn’t greener on the other side of the fence. It’s greener wherever you water it! ~Rick Warren
The longer I’m single, and sit back and “view” marriages of people I know, the more thankful I am to not have any problems that some of them have. When my grandparents were married back in 1936, it was for life. I realize it was a MUCH simpler time then, but it still took WORK. Fast forward to today, seems alot of people just don’t want to “work” at marriage, so they just throw in the towel, and walk away. Or the mentality seems to be with my generation “Well, if it doesn’t work, we’ll just get divorced.” I think it even goes further that people don’t even think you have to stay faithful to your spouse. I’m not sure where this transition in marriage has occurred that the vows you share with someone don’t mean anything. Isn’t it ironic how our society keeps changing to fit “us” so we can be happy, but yet God’s law is STILL the same?? Marriage is a serious act, and I’m afraid some of us do not take it seriously anymore. I’m not judging, I’m just stating some facts that I see. What about this bumper sticker, “Yes, I’m married, but it’s not serious.” I know alot of folks probably laugh at that, or probably wish they even had it on their car. Marriage is serious business folks, and if you’re not happy in yours, than maybe it’s because God is not at the center. It’s the same with life, nothing “works” without him, and we just can’t seem to figure that out. Your marriage is NOT going to work without God at the center, plain and simple. I have a quote by Rick Warren at the top of this blog that just struck me. I think he hit the nail on the head. I know I’m not married, and you’re probably wondering why I’m writing a blog on marriage. I think it’s just because I’m tired of couples not taking marriage seriously. I can tell you from experience that my parents have a good marriage because they study the Bible together, and live by it. If you’re not doing this with your spouse, I ask you to please start trying. We need to get “un-busy”, and start getting busy in God’s word. If you sit down and study with your spouse, you will not only be strengthening your marriage, but also your relationship with the Father! And that’s what we ALL need. Just from the scripture that I read, God takes marriage seriously, so why don’t we?? To those of you reading this who have fantastic marriages, I commend you. To those of you who are not happy?? Maybe it’s time to slow down, and do some talkin’ with God. I’m tellin’ ya, God is the ONLY answer to anything! Have a blessed day!!
5 comments:
Great blog entry Julie. I see so much of the same things that you see. There are married couples out there that get it and you can just see it in the way they act, and react, to each other. Unfortunately, as you have stated, there are so many others that don't take it seriously. I'm speaking from experience. I have been married and divorced more than once. I have learned a lot from all of it. I have so much more respect for the institution of marriage because of all that I have been through. I can honestly say that I wasn't the one that gave up. My spouses were so eager to give up because things weren't going their way. I do think God looks favorably on me yet because I wasn't the one to "throw in the towel" and I have learned so much about marriage since becoming a Christian. If I am lucky enough to marry again now as a new creation in Christ it will be someone who understands and fears God enough to help make it work. But if we both rely on God I don't see how it couldn't work.
Again...great entry.
Thanks, Terry! And oh yes, I by all means know God looks favorably on you. There are cases, such as yours, where a spouse does everything to try and make it work, but the other doesn't want to. What can you do in those circumstances?? You are BY FAR one of the most spiritual people I know, and I KNOW God is SO pleased with you. :-) Thank you for sharing your heart in your comment.
I love your post, Julie!!
I know many may say that if you haven't been married, you can't possibly know the details of how complicated things can get. And, to some extent, they may be right. But, also, when people get lost in those complicated details, I think being brought back to the very fundamentals is exactly what they need.
Marriage is quite simply a vow between a couple and God. It is an agreement/promise between the couple and God. That's it. So, why people who don't believe in God even feel the need to have a wedding or call their relationship a marriage is beyond me. In that case, it merely seems to be because that is what society says you are supposed to do without any thought for what it is really supposed to be all about. In those cases, it also seems to be quite simply trying to have the blessings from God that others truly have without having to believe in God (or while still rebelling from God). So, like with so many other things, it is really trying to take the blessing by force instead of just humbling oneself and accepting the blessing as a gift. When people do that, they are doomed in whatever they try to do on their own...especially if it is a marriage. The only way to truly obtain blessings from God is to humble oneself, acknowledge God and accept the blessings that are meant for you.
You are absolutely right. Anything we try to do without God just simply isn't going to work. This includes marriages. People have to go into marriage, not just as a socially acceptable thing to do...but seeing it for what it is fundamentally supposed to be. God has to be at the center or it can't possibly work.
Keep up the great posts!!! Keep speaking what you feel led to speak!!!
Thanks yous much for your words, Ron! I really appreciate it! I think what prompted me to write this blog is I know some people having some difficult times in marriage right now. Who knows if they bothered to take the time to read this blog, but I wanted to write it anyway. :-) You never know who might be reading. Have a great day!
I'm sure God is using it for something. :)
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