MARRY ME?

Most Americans (78%) were married in 1950.  By 2010, the percentage had dropped to 48%.

Is that a big deal that marriage is in decline?  You betcha.

With less stability in homes, the stats show single parents are stretched thin and overwhelmed.  With only one income, they are more likely to be in poverty programs.  Thirty-five percent of girls whose Daddy left home before they were six...became pregnant out of wedlock.  Boys without their Dad are two-thirds more likely to end up in prison.

These stats are not absolute predictors, but how can we ignore them?

Our next generation demands to know...why SHOULD people marry when you can live together?  Why CAN'T two women marry?  And then there's the old familiar cry "I beg your pardon...submit?...I don't think so!"

 In 1970 Mike and I said an oblivious "I do".  And we did for a while.  But when love's buzz wore off and we woke in counseling, we began to gather snippets of truth so obvious that we were red-faced that they had gotten by us.  We missed truths like...men and women have differing expectations/speak different languages.  Guilt doesn't work.  And there should be more reason to stay together than "no one in my family has ever gotten a divorce".

Our teachable moment taught us that it was possible to go from smitten to mystified to chronically alienated in only six years.  Marriage sure wasn't working out like we had always thought it would.

Since that bumpy start, we have decided to follow Christ and we're seeing things differently.  It was helpful to know marriage wasn't just about us and my mate wasn't my enemy.  We were surprised to find the Bible actually had practical tips for marriage that worked.  The ancient words summed it up perfectly:  "women need love/men need respect".

Beyond that, we were shown how marriage is the way God proclaims Himself...perfects us...and prophesies our future.



GOD PROCLAIMS
Since the Genesis beginning, we read that God created us male and female.  Then because it was not good for the man to be alone, God said He would make a companion for Adam who would help him.  And God says the design of the marriage is for a man to leave his father and mother and unite with his wife and they would become a new family.  And procreate.


All of that is true, but oneness in marriage is much more.  Oneness reflects a clear picture of the Lord; it's a glossy 8x10 of His nature.

God is neither male nor female, but in the marriage relationship we get both sides of the picture.  He is called El Shaddai in the book of Isaiah.  That is translated "God Almighty" or "The All-Sufficient One".  But there is another interesting translation.  From the "el" we get the meaning strength/might.  He is the Mighty God.  But from "shad" we get breast.  So another translation can be "The Breasted One", referring to God's nurturing side which allows us to come to Him and lay our head on His chest.  There is an implied quieting that comes just as a baby is put to the breast and quits fussing.  So two divergent descriptions come together to say that God is tender and mighty.

We see that contrast in Isaiah 40:11 where Isaiah says "like a shepherd He tends His flock; He gathers up the lambs with His arm; He carries them close to His heart; He leads the nursing ewes."  That is God's soft side.  Then in the next verse, there is a description that only the Almighty could do:  "who has measured out the waters in the hollow of His hand, or carefully measured the sky, or carefully weighed the soil of the earth, or weighed the mountains in a balance, or the hills on scales?" Obviously, the answer is NO ONE but an all-powerful God.

God proclaims His full image in His institution of marriage.

GOD PERFECTS
Every baby is born with a selfish nature.  We may think we are patient or forgiving...and as long as we are single, that may be the case.  But when we marry and enter a relationship that calls for walking in lockstep, we see just how patient/forgiving we really are.  Our relationship with our mate becomes a fertile field for growth.

Mike would tell you the issue of praying together has had a perfecting effect.  My husband began our prayer life one night and something he said tickled me.  I giggled and it set our journey back about six months.  I wasn't laughing at what he said, but at a random thought it triggered in my brain.  Still, I wouldn't advise prayer giggling.

Oneness in marriage shows the world mutual submission and selflessness and it demonstrates Christ-likeness.  Have you seen the triangle illustration?  If the husband and wife both have a desire to move up toward God, guess where they also end up?  Closer to one another.

Marriage is God's gift to help us finish "growing up".



GOD PROPHESIES
The Lord gave the apostle John a vision of what would happen at the end of time.  You could say that marriage bookends the Bible because it began in the garden, and history culminates in another wedding analogy in the book of Revelation.  Jesus says He will return to eat the marriage feast with His bride, the church.  We look forward to the day that we will join Him at the banquet.

When Christ first left the heavenlies for Bethlehem, the angels were wonder-struck at His humility and rejoiced at His great love.  They praised God that He would think up such a rescue plan.  The Dear Son gave up all status and even His life for His bride, the church.  He bought our ticket to the banquet and to eternity.  One day there will be great rejoicing as we come to the marriage feast.

Women are to lovingly submit to our husbands as Christ submitted to the church.  Our husbands are to give themselves up for their wives as Christ gave Himself up for the church.  What woman would mind serving a man who served her unto death?  And what man would mind giving himself up for a wife who adored him?  We would all stand in line for that mutual admiration society.

BOTTOM LINE
What about today?  Can we trust a "dated" structure such as marriage?  We can trust it's Inventor.  We can live as He calls us to live and our faith will please Him.  If you are thinking that your husband/wife does not deserve such honor, their office does.  Honor that.  Ask the Lord to help you.

It has never been as important as it is today to reflect God's image in marriage.  Married people hope that the world sees God's reflection in their relationship.  Do you believe He has a purpose for your marriage?  Are you trusting Him that the plan will be for His glory?

From Genesis to Revelation, the plan has been for marriage.  We can honor God by honoring His institution.  The Bridegroom will soon be back for His bride!

"Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come 

and His bride has made herself ready.

Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

Then the angel said to me, 'Write the following:

blessed are those who are invited to the banquet

at the wedding celebration of the Lamb!'"

Revelation 19:6-9