By Sonya L. Williams;
Any two individuals can plan a wedding, but a successful marriage requires more than a one day celebration; it requires a successful blueprint. Media, friends and family paint a variety of images for us to reflect. But when we choose to reflect the image we were created in (God’s image) we will set the blueprint for generations to come.
Here are a few things about M.A.R.R.I.A.G.E to remember as you plan your lives together as man and wife:
Ministry
As with any ministry, we must have a heart to serve in order for God’s will to be fulfilled. In God’s command for us to be fruitful and multiply, He gave us everything we need to fulfill His plan. God did not create us as half beings that would only be whole once married, but He created us as two separate wholes with an even greater purpose as one flesh.
Assignment
For those who have been called to marriage, God has a unique purpose in uniting you and your spouse as man and wife. Imagine a puzzle. Each individual piece has a specific assignment, but the assignment can only be completed when each one is in its place. Proverbs 18:22 says, He who finds a wife, finds a good thing and obtains favor in the Lord. When a man finds the wife who God has chosen for him, the assignment God has for their lives can be completed.
Risk
No matter how long you have known your spouse, you never know what tomorrow holds. We do not know what trials we may face in marriage, but we can be sure that when our trust is in God and we are committed to obeying His word, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way.
Responsibility
As one flesh, your responsibility is not only to yourself, but it is now to your spouse as well. Whether your spouse is experiencing bad health, bad credit or simple a bad attitude, it is your responsibility to stand strong in their time of weakness. It is your responsibility to intercede on your spouse’s behalf. You’re prayers are more powerful than anything you could physically do for your spouse.
I Do
Once we say “I do”, it’s no longer about “Me”. It’s now about “We”. As one flesh, the decisions you make will affect your spouse in one way or another. Therefore we must remember to treat each other with the love and respect we would like to have shown towards us.
Art
As two unique individuals, spouses bring different personalities and qualities into a marriage. One spouse may be a neat freak while the other is much more laid back. One spouse may like to plan for occasions, while the other prefers to be spontaneous. If we are willing to submit such things to God, and step outside of our comfort zones, growth can take place. Though we may bump heads at times, our differences are the perfect keys to creating a beautiful work of art in marriage.
Gift
Marriage ordained by God is a gift that exemplifies His love in an earthly vessel. Marriage is an opportunity to commune as one flesh. Though God created us as complete human beings, we were also created with a desire for companionship. Marriage is to be cherished and esteemed holy. When this gift is committed unto God there is nothing and no one that can separate us. “Though one person may be overpowered by another, two people can resist one opponent. A triple-braided rope is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12
Example
As husband and wife, we are to reflect the marriage of Christ and the church. Just as Christ sacrificed His life for us, we are to submit to one another as our spouse submits to Christ. Others should be able to identify us a Christians by the love and respect we have for each other.
As you plan this beautiful day, let’s keep in mind that marriage itself is not picture perfect, but with the perfect picture of what marriage should look like we can look forward to successful life together. With an understanding of what God created marriage to be, we can celebrate each day, thanking God for the gift He has given us in a spouse.
Apostle Jesse Jackson Mirega 