“Sometimes I bust out and do things so permanent. Like tattoos and marriage.”
-Drew Barrymore – Actress
On Monday, Sherman and I had the privilege of being guests on Allen and Kyla Woods’ Permanent Plus One podcast. When you RSVP to an invitation, the card asks if you’ll be attending singly or with a ‘plus one.’ The show’s premise is that marriage is to be celebrated! and your spouse is your “Permanent” plus one. The Woods’, who’ve been married for 6 years, invite couples who’ve been married longer to share, “Why marriage is so dope.” (that means great ; ) Our Episode, # 9 posts sometime later today.
Nowadays, a positive concept of marriage and it’s permanency is sadly, rare. Hebrews 13:4 instructs, “Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things. And thus let the marriage bed be un-defiled (kept un-dishonored); for God will judge and punish the unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous.” Sometimes it’s uncomfortable for married couples to celebrate their unions because we want to be sensitive to those who are single; but there’s good reason for the festivities!
Marriage definitely has seasons of difficulty, but it also yields deep joy and satisfaction. We’re sharing the intimacy and security of being with one love permanently. Who can forget the movie,“The Notebook,” where protagonist Noah repeatedly retells the beautiful story of their lifetime of love to his sweetheart Allie, who suffers dementia and lives in a nursing home. They eventually die together in each other’s arms.
One of the strongest and most comforting promises God gives ALL of us is, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) This verse is after the one on marriage. The King James Version says, “Keep your conversation (meaning conduct) free of covetousness (wanting something that belongs to someone else), and be content with what you have.” In a world with so many options, the married person is forever devoted to the ONE they’ve chosen. The mystery of marriage is a sharpening tool God uses to work selfishness, greed, envy and covetousness out of us. It reveals, then builds into us the kind of unconditional, sacrificial love Christ had for His Church, and the reverence his Bride is to have for Him. (Ephesians 5:21-33) That passage will stretch even the most ‘spiritual’ of us.
PERMANENT means lasting or intended to last or remain unchanged indefinitely; or lasting or continuing without interruption. The Latin derivation means ‘remaining through to the end.’ Marital storms test the durability of our intent to remain committed to our promise. There are not many things we can claim are or should be permanent, but marriage is one of them. That’s why these marriage vows are so incredibly powerful when believed and lived out:
“I_______ take thee________to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, and forsaking all others, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.” (I pledge to you, my faithfulness).
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SUNDAY Worship
11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room Sunday Class
9:30 AM Youth Room Basement
at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
For information 513-212-1131
