"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church." Ephesians 5:31,32Don't be quick to leave because you already "know this" truth. Don't be quick to leave if don't know it, but but aren't sure you want to hear it. Stick with me a minute.
Can we just soak a magnificent truth in awhile? The truth that we have a God who is so in love with us that He gave us a relationship (marriage) on earth to show just how faithful He is.
Marriage is hard! Can I get an AMEN?! Guess what must be harder? Creating people in your own image and having them leave you for someone or something else. Having them completely rebel against you. Not only do they rebel, but they do horrible things to each other and all that you have created.
Imagine loving someone and they left you heart broken.
God's heart must have been broken when Adam and Eve trusted a snake over the goodness of God. His heart breaks now for those who still don't trust His goodness.
I don't know what you would do if your spouse cheated on you, said horrible untruths about you, and/or did wicked things to your family, but I know what God did when all these things happened to Him.
He came to earth to tell His beloved to come back to Him. Then, to show His beloved how faithful He was even though they weren't, He died on a cross naked and shamed to take their place...our place...He got what we deserved.
Then...
He showed His power - He came back to life. He wants you to join Him - whether that be a new life with Him, believing Him and giving your life to Him, or a renewed life.
He's waiting. Go.
“Most foundationally, marriage is the doing of God. And ultimately, marriage is the display of God. It displays the covenant-keeping love between Christ and his people to the world in a way that no other event or institution does. Marriage, therefore, is not mainly about being in love. It’s mainly about telling the truth with our lives. And staying married is not about staying in love. It is about keeping covenant and putting the glory of Christ’s covenant-keeping love on display.” John Piper, The Momentary Marriage
Book Recommendation:
If you want to journey with me through this crazy life, click here so we can continue to walk together.
"Ex Prep"(intro), Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6
15 comments:
Oh my dear dear friend. Someone I know needs to read this and since they are no longer blogging I'm going to put this on my Facebook in hopes that they stumble across it.
It was God spoken today my friend.
THANK YOU!
Big hugs and kisses.
Kim
Your words are encouraging today. Thank you for sharing and speaking the truth.
Very nice post....and I totally agree.
BTW, I am making you potato soup recipe today. Cant wait to see how yummy it is!!
Praise God!! My heart is overwhelmed this morning, I did not know Piper had that book out. I have been just soaked in this reality of marriage just recently desiring to know and understand more fully. Thank you for posting this.
JOYfully in Him,
Kelli
Oh wow! This book isn't even out yet, but I think I am going to preorder it. That was so amazing. I have never heard it said like that. I always heard that our marriage is supposed to signfy Christ and His bride, but I never understood how. The way you said it, about imagining your spouse just left you for something or someone else really opened my eyes to see just what we've done to God and what pains he went through! Yet He STILL TOOK US BACK.
I love John Piper - he is as authentic a preacher as they come.
I am so enjoying this series of posts- thank you so much for sharing them with us. :)
Jenn
Hi Sarah Mae, This is really cool I will have to check it out. This is Lindsey over at Peaceful Island mother! Thanks for the comment :) I am hoping to really get my blog going since I just started it. I am a freelance writer and run a couple of websites so hopefully this can be a fun hobby for me :) Yeah I have been close friends with Christin for a while, she is an amazing woman :)
Absolutely, I would love to help out and contribute! Thank you for asking. What do I do? LOL Just tell me where to go!
You've been awarded the Honest Scrap and Hooked on Your Blog awards! Congratulations!!
http://www.momoffaith.com/?p=682
thanks for the great reminder. my husband and i finally got to see "Fireproof" this week and it was a great reminder as well, i'd recommend it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet... and that book sounds awesome!
Excellent! Very encouraging. Marriage is so much more than society would like us to believe today.
I'm sure that's an excellent book. I'm currently doing a John Piper Bible study with some ladies - good stuff!
I have to check this book out. What a great perspective on marriage! That there's a purpose beyond our happiness involved. Thank you.
Thanks for this!!! What a beautiful post!
In regards to marriage and lasting relationships or even relationships that ended - you should all check out http://www.centralonlinecampus.com/
this weekend and watch the service called "The Knot" online. This will be a service that everyone will be talking about. Judd is a great speaker. Thank you for the book suggestion. I will pick it up at our church bookstore. - Jaime
Thanks for your encouraging posts. Not enough people talk about marriage. I have gotten some great insight. Blessings, Nora
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