The Art of Committment

In my Bible Study we have been working through the Song of Solomon. One of the MOST AMAZING books of the Bible I have ever been aware of!! It is all about relationships and how God intends for one to look like. How to hold off the desires of the flesh until marriage, how to fight clean, and how to continue to romance your partner years into your marriage. I have been soo blessed by this study and have been working on applying all the things we talk about to my life.

Last night we began the last section on the Art of Commitment. The overall idea is that marriage is a covenant not meant to be broken - EVER!! (granted there are two circumstances, adultery and abandonment, that if executed could constitute a divorce) One of my favorite stories Tommy Nelson (the guy who does the series in the videos) is one of a man who on the day after he is married goes out and buys two burial plots and headstones because he intends with his whole being to be committed to that woman until they are in that grave together!

There is so much controversy over marriage right now and whether or not our state or country for that matter should allow same-sex marriage. One of my friends posted this and I thought it was quite interesting: "So let me get this straight: Larry King is getting his 8th divorce, Elizabeth Taylor is getting married for the 9th time, Britney Spears had a 55 hour marriage. Jesse James, Tiger Woods, and how many other high ranking politicians had affairs outside of marriage. Yet the idea of same-sex marriage is going to destroy the sanctity of marriage? Really??"

I think she has somewhat of a valid point - I am not saying I support same-sex marriage, or otherwise, but I am saying that our culture has made marriage this 'serve me' system and that people think that if it doesn't do that there is an escape clause!! People believe that if they are not being served enough, or their needs aren't being met, then it is alright to bail or look elsewhere. When really marriage is meant to be a partnership - where each person gives of themselves to their spouse. It is a self-less commitment to another person, knowing that there are going to be those times when you don't feel like loving the other person but you do because that is what you have vowed to do!

Marriage is precious - so see it that way! Know that it is a life-long journey that will have its mountains and its valleys. But that a marriage focused on the Lord will be greater than you will ever know! Not to say that hardships won't come, but that leaning on Him will make those hard times easier to get through.