Tolerance is not a bad thing. We as a people just take it way too far; just as we do intolerance. It's not tolerated for me as a Christian to say what I believe in a public setting. That's what the world is coming to. That's how keen the enemy is to our culture. He will take what he needs and use it against anyone who believes in the word of God. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for free speech. The problem I have is that it's getting less and less tolerant to be a free speaking Christian these days. It's almost like we are becoming the enemy. Correction; we are the enemy. The enemy against what this nation is allowing to go on right under our noses. The more intolerant they grow of hearing what we have to say, the lower our voices get when we do speak out.
A true Christian knows it's not about your sexual preference. It's not about whether you're black, white, Asian, Hispanic, or any other ethnicity. It's about your heart and your relationship with God. It is He who gives us the desires of our hearts; not what our hearts desire. We are wretched, evil and vile. We are born with a soggy, smug, envious, and selfish heart. Therefore our desires are selfish. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. What kind of speaking did you do before you knew Christ? It was all about you and what you wanted, right?
I'm not getting on my soap box to fix the world as far as the issue of tolerance and intolerance as a whole, but the tolerance we have allowed when it comes to our marriages. Divorce is like a cancerous tumor spreading all over the body of Christ and we are getting to the point where it's normal. I know where you think I'm going with this, but more than likely you're wrong. :) We have sat by idly way too long as our brothers and sister in Christ have struggled with their marriages. They are suffering while we sit back and judge with our stares of holier than thou smug grins on our faces. We say things like, "I'll pray for you" or "things will get better", then we go behind their backs and talk about what they should've done, what they did wrong, and about how things will likely be after they get divorced. Shame on us! Yes, us. I'm guilty of this too. When God gave me a revelation about how a marriage should be, I felt bamboozled by every Christian wife I had ever met prior to getting married. I will never forget what my best friend, Temeka said, "We are accountable for each other's marriage." I had never thought of it that way, but we really are. Therefore, she checks me when I need it and I do the same for her. We are the same way with our other close friends. Only when you let someone in, though can they give you the guidance, support or swift words of correction when you need it. Think about it this way, when a person is needing help from the salvation army, the government or any other charitable entity, they make you show proof that you are indeed need of help, right? They get all in your business and you do no care. "How many check stubs do you need?" That's all you wanna know. Well, shouldn't it be the same way when your marriage is in trouble. We have to be the people anyone can come to and share what's going on in their lives so we can help them.
Mostly the problem is that we are way too prideful to share our downfalls. But, just like when you became a Christian, you didn't fully understand what it meant; when you got married, you didn't fully understand what that meant either. You studied the word because you wanted to be a good Christian. You didn't want to fail so you did what it took to stay in you walk with God. The same principle applies to marriage. It takes some studying, long nights, talks with God and your husband and a patience you never thought you were capable of. I don't care how long you dated before getting married, you never truly get to know someone until after you get married. It's easy to date or be a girlfriend. You're able to hide seemingly unapproved or those not so pleasing aspects of your life then. When you get married, it's a little harder.
To have a successful marriage, you must have a most intimate relationship. I don't mean sexual, although that's a huge part of it. I didn't realize what true intimacy was until I prayed with my husband for the the very first time. This was 10 years into our marriage and 14 years into our relationship all together. I really hate that it took that long to be able to feel that intimacy. It's like nothing I've ever felt before. Your marriage is so important to God. He doesn't want it to fail and neither do I.
Marriage is about so much more that the "American Dream". It's so precious and so important to our families, communities, and this nation. We must be INTOLERANT of failed marriages in the body of Christ. If you know your friend or neighbor is struggling, do something about it. If you don't know how to help them, send them to someone who does. Everyday Marriage is about counseling marriages, getting couples the resources they need to have a healthy marriage and family and helping others to understand the importance of healthy, Godly marriages. This is so important. We can't make an impact though unless others get on this ride and spread the word about how important marriage is and how important it is to God.
"God gives certain individuals a "spike" in human experience, not so they can merely gather people around themselves to minister to them, but that they would be positioned with favor to equip the saints, so that their "high point" becomes the new norm"
--Bill Johnson
EM
Brian and I as teenagers.
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