In the final installment of the Hobbit films, "The Battle of the Five Armies", the heir to the throne of the dwarf kingdom of Erebor, Thorin Oakenshield, becomes obsessed with the treasure of gold within the city's halls, and is willing to sacrifice everything - his kin and his honour, for treasure's sake.
We sometimes do that in our marriages, with the greatest treasure we have - our relationship with the Almighty.
We are supposed to love God first, yes...but part and parcel of loving Him is doing what He says to do, and He's pretty clear in saying that we're to hold to our marriage vows as a simulacrum of our relationship with Him...we are to be cleaved together in His name, and never to use Him as an excuse for negligence of our spousal duties.
Paul made this morning plain in saying that while a Christian should not marry a non-Christian, BEING married to an unbeliever is not grounds for divorce.
In other words...your marriage is the field you plow for the Lord.
I'm still on very intermittent Internet access (and cannot get at my email at all), so I again ask your patience with slow response to comments...but please do leave them!
I was doing some reading on the importance of keeping our marriage vow and covenant just the other day, Andrew. This dove-tails nicely with that reading and is important reminder to all of us about how the Lord can strengthen us in our commitment to our marriage partner. I think it takes His love pouring into and overflowing to truly love and remain committed to our partners. I do hope you are feeling better than how your internet is doing! Prayers are continually sent on your and Barbara's behalf!
ReplyDeleteYou mean I can't say I don't have time for laundry because I'm reading my Bible all day? :) Thanks for keeping the words coming, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate your writing - even when times are hard to do so. Continued prayers for you and Barbara; for whatever God has planned for you both; for Internet access so you have connection with your "followers"!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.