Feb 16 - Genesis 2:24

Therefore a man

… clings to his wife,

and they become one flesh.

Genesis 2:24

NRSV

 

I asked a firefighter once, “What’s going to be different when the two of you get married?”

 

He thought for a long time.

 

It was clear that he really didn’t want to be talking with me. Pre-marital counseling was obviously a hoop he had to jump through. In fact, marriage itself was probably just a hoop he had to jump through.

 

Suddenly, however, the light bulb went on. “I got it,” he said. “As firefighters, when we go into a fire, we’re trained to always go in two at a time.”

 

“Yes!” I cheered to myself. “He’s finally got it!”

 

“And it’s our job,” he said, “to look out for ourselves first and our partner second.”

 

I hung my head. “No. That’s not what marriage is all about.”

 

In marriage, there’s no more, “me first, then you.” It’s “us.” Always! “The two shall become one flesh.”

 

Have you ever heard anyone say, “Marriage is fifty-fifty”? No, it’s not! Marriage is one hundred – one hundred! You don’t want your spouse giving just fifty percent, do you?

 

It’s “all” … or it will inevitably wind up being nothing.

 

Question of the Day: see below

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who wants a lot

from life and marriage

… so I better give a lot first!

 

Question of the Day:

·         Getting Married and Newlyweds: And you prepared to give 100%, 100% of the time? What will have to change in you and your life in order to put your spouse and your marriage first (even before you, your job, your hobbies, your friends, your desires)?

·         Married: And you giving 100%, 100% of the time? Does your marriage and your spouse and marriage rank ahead of your own wants and desires? If so, when was the moment when you began to put your spouse and your marriage before yourself? (Was there a spark, a moment, that prompted it … or was it a gradual maturing?) Alternatively, if you can’t say that it has happened yet, what do you think will have to change for this to happen?

·         Not Married: The secret to all successful relationships is putting the well-being of others before yourself. What are relationships in which you’ve mastered this … and how does that feel? How might this compassion toward others improve other relationships?