Shall We Dance?

Last week we were talking with friends. They shared a story with us, of how a group of couples were on a dance floor and those who'd been married the longest, remained dancing on the floor. As it turned out, more couples kept leaving the floor,as those having the most "years of matrimony" remained dancing. Notice, I didn't say "years of wedded bliss" ? Unfortunately, so many couples go into marriage today thinking if things don't work out, divorce is always an option. Let me be transparent here, by saying that my 36 years of marriage had it's share of difficulties. Every marriage does! Divorce is such an easy word to throw around during those difficult times. Thankfully, we didn't divorce. By the grace of God, we are happier today than at any time in our marriage!
Marriage...what's God got to do with it? Well, He's the one who created the institution of marriage. Genesis 2:18 teaches, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper suitable for him". Genesis 2:24 shows us, "For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and the two shall become one flesh". Proverbs 5:18, "Let your fountain be blest, and rejoice in the wife of your youth". Marriage is not a contract. It is a covenant. God made a covenant with His people through Christ. His Word further teaches that the mystery of marriage between a husband and wife is a direct reference to Christ and His Church, Ephesians 5:32. Some who are reading this might wonder then, about the status of a marriage based on the fact that it's a second or third one. Can God be pleased with that union? Well, based on God's Word, yes! Just because couple has remained married for many years does not mean that God is glorified. Ephesians 5:22 teaches, " Submit to each other out of reverence for Christ". Ah, there's the key! That's great news for someone in a subsequent marriage! According to Scripture, the couple who makes Christ the central focus of their marriage has a redeemed marriage! Only in the last 15 years did we come to understand that. When we turned and made Christ the central focus of our lives and marriage, did God receive glory. And in turn, God has redeemed our marriage in a way that is indescribable! How sweet is that?