I'm in Love!

... kidding, I was just trying to get your attention. Or maybe I'm not kidding, but we won't discuss that here. :) As odd as it sounds, it is something I wish to write about in this post. Never thought you'd see me write anything on this topic, huh? Observing a few young couples in our church and at work, I've been trying to understand how/if it would be possible to learn off of their actions in order to build a strong, God-fearing family. Though my years are young, I believe it is imperative to start praying and taking some sort of action within yourself even from an early age.

As much (or as little) as I comprehend the concept of marriage, it is a commitment in which you are willing to go through any fire with the one you love and still come out alive. Most young couples would probably feel worried before making such a vow. Commitment is a matter of promise. Once you're in, there is no turning back (except for in the case of Matthew 19:9). But there is more to commitment than simply tying yourself to someone even if you two absolutely despise one another. A couple committing themselves to one another must first and foremost commit to the Biblical standards (1 Corinthians 7, Ephesians 5, etc). Remember that marriage between a man and a woman is symbolic of Christ and the church. It is critical to keep this fact in mind at all times.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:22-33

Once these Biblical standards are met within the family, it will truly be a blessed marriage. It is when we lose sight of our spiritual beacon that we begin to drift away. In your prayers for your future (or current) spouse, pray that God gives you the strength and desire to commit yourself primarily to His living Word. It will help guide you through all of your questions and confusion concerning any of life's most difficult decisions. As it often happens, you might think, "easier said than done". This is actually where my role as a potential future husband comes into play. If I put all of my strength into building a spiritually-healthy family, with the help of the Lord, it will be done. I am challenging myself to give what it takes in order to watch, listen, learn, and then fulfill.