So now I have decided to pose the question. If anyone reads this, feel free to give your thoughts.
Is marriage worth it? I mean, there are many reasons to remain single. Not only would a person have the independence that being single provides, but also the flexibility for ministry. A person wouldn’t have to worry about pleasing his spouse or worry about presenting her as holy and blameless before the Lord. It’s difficult trying to remain holy by one’s self, let alone trying to keep another holy. Plus there are a bunch of annoying things you have compromise on…and…you get in-laws. But seriously, without a spouse, you are forced to become independent, and that is a good thing.
At the same time, marriage brings about a lot growth. There are things that a guy would keep doing, if not for his wife telling him to stop. A person can see different aspects of God in his spouse that he might not have seen before. She can spur him on in his faith…and more than that, he has the privilege of doing the same. Not only that, certain desires are met that would just lead to sin otherwise. Spouses can cover each other’s weaknesses and really help in ministry. Also, marriage can be joyous—you may take joy in each other (I don’t just mean sex). That’s spectacular.
These lists are not meant to be comprehensive, but just to provoke thought. Myself, I am not entirely sold on the thought that marriage is worth it. I might meet the woman of my dreams…and she would be worth it. Getting to know God more is worth it. To be married just to be married, or just for sex…that’s stupid.
Have I flipped my lid?
4 out of 5 psychiatrists agree that I am.
Godspeed.
Flip
Friday, December 19, 2008
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All the reasons you posted are basically what I was thinking of.
ReplyDeleteI think marriage is idealized by many, many people. But it does bring growth. In marriage we see one of the best examples of iron sharpening iron. Men and women are so completely different, they sharpen each other in different ways than same-sex friendships do (though I am not lessening the importance of those friendships!)
You hear about marriage being a metaphor for Christ's unity with the church, and though it is cliche (or taken too literally by some), it is a valid comparison.
If you marry the right person, your eyes will be opened up in a new way to the Character of God. You see His love even more, because his Spirit is loving you through that person. A healthy, amazing Christian marriage brings you both closer to God. It is truly a case of a couple being greater than the sum of the two parts.
Besides, we were made for intimacy, and we were made for human relationships to encourage each other in our daily lives and in faith.
Not all people need to get married. In fact, there are many that should never get married. But if a marriage will bring a certain person closer to God, then by all means, marry!
When you get married, you can't just marry some body. You have to marry body and Spirit, and love the Spirit in that particular person as well as the character of that specific person. You can't just marry a person without loving the Spirit first. You could marry someone purely for their spirit (i.e. just marry another Christian) and it could work, but let's face it, there are some great Christians out there that I wouldn't want to marry.
So, what I am (very inarticulately) trying to say is that you need to find a person to love, but you need to love how the Holy Spirit is working in her. Love for the Spirit in another person will magnify your love for the God that created you both!
Thanks for your thoughts, dear Flip. I like reading them very much :)
-Cait