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| PULPITORIA ( c. Dede) |
LET US READ
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he
created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to
them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.
Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living
creature that moves on the ground." Genesis 1:27-28
“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. Genesis 2:23-24
“Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked,
"Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every
reason?" "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning
the Creator 'made them male and female,'
and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be
united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer
two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not
separate." Matthew 19:3-6
ENCOURAGEMENT
Marriage is indeed unique; an institution created by God. Through
scripture, we understand that in marriage, a man leaves his father, mother,
background and circumstances and joins to a woman with equally different set of
variables. They then live together and become one flesh and produce a distinctive
identity all their own. This identity is a creative miracle of God, but it does
not preclude the fact that it may encounter some challenges now and then. The responsibility
lies squarely with the couple to accommodate one another and ensure it works.
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Challenges may arise in form of difference of opinion over
such matters as finance, what to eat, drink, wear, actions or inactions, how to
behave in certain circumstances etc.; and if not handled well and promptly may
lead to each spouse taking offence that could lead to a strain or even brake up
of the marriage. There was a case where such a trivial matter as whether a tube
of tooth paste is pressed from the top or bottom led to a divorce! Each issue
or challenge may present a different set of characteristics, but the couple
must consciously decide to sit down and navigate a way forward and act
accordingly.
Two ingredients among so many others will help them to
achieve this: vision for their marriage and love. You may wonder what vision
has to do with marriage, but it in fact has everything to do with it. The
vision you have for your marriage will enable you look beyond challenges, hurts
and temporary discomforts. So do you have a vision for your marriage? It is not
late; you can still prayerfully ask God for a vision for your marriage. It was
vision that helped our Lord Jesus Christ to fulfil destiny. In Hebrews 12:1-3
we read: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our
eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of
the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so
that you will not grow weary and lose heart”. The joy set before your marriage
is the vision that will help you overcome its challenges!
Love is the other key ingredient, and of course with it
comes forgiveness. The bible says that love covers a multitude of sin. (1 Peter
4:8 Above
all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.)
This simply means that with love you can cover for each other, overlook
irritations, forgive each other and enjoy your marriage.
LET US PRAY
O Lord, heal every marriage that is hurting and through your
love and divine vision restore the best of heaven for such marriage and family
in Jesus name.
POST SCRIPT
Marriage is an institution created by God, and for it to
succeeded it must be run with the principles of God; first of which is a
personal relationship with God and the Lord Jesus Christ. It will help to
contact a bible believing church near you; if you don’t already attend one.
For comments, questions and general counsel follow me at
basil.chukwuezi on Facebook,
@BasilChukwuezi on Twitter and my
blog, http://kingdomstreet.blogspot.com.
All scriptures are from the New International Version (NIV).
God bless you.
