The Marriage Knot

Marriage is not about you; it's about two.  This past weekend, couples gathered for our church’s marriage conference - "Behind Closed Doors."   During that time, I reminded couples of this truth.  I derive that truth from two biblical texts:

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 
Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.    
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)

Marriage is true companionship; not true competition.  When one spouse grows overly focused on his or her own needs - success in business, personal goals, recreation, sexual desire - then he or she becomes too focused on self and neglects the one with whom he/she shares life.

At times in marriage, one person will be the stronger one and at others, the weaker.  Each must adjust during such times.

Marriage is a journey – a tie-the-knot journey.  Have you ever noticed how on a hiking trip or another outdoor adventure, the knots that you tie on your pack, on your sack, or on your shoes, begin to loosen along the journey?  This loosening of knots occurs in the journey of marriage, also.  Sometimes couples loosen them and sometimes others loosen them.  Couples need to keep the marriage knot tied.  Keep it tied by committing to . . .
1) Paying attention.
2) Recognizing that temptation is real and looks good.
3) Keeping their vows -
        “Keep Only Unto You”; “Till death do us part”; etc.
4) Enjoying one another (See 1 Corinthians 7).
5) Remembering that God sees all.

#ordinarylives