My wife Michelle and I launched our marriage series Truly, Madly, Deeply this Sunday, and we have so much to unpack over the next few weeks! Whether you’re thinking about getting married, are currently married, or have gone through a divorce, this series is for you. There are four commitments you can make that will help you through life! 1) Commit to follow God, 2) commit to fight fair, 3) commit to forever, and 4) commit to have fun! Today, we’re going to dive into this first commitment.
Sometimes people jump into marriage with all of these false expectations—you want something that’s unrealistic. Unfortunately, 50% of marriages don’t make it, and of those that do, it’s sometimes because of the kids or because you’re just trying to hang in there. If you are considering getting married, Michelle and I encourage you to seek pre-marital counseling and to get married in a church by a pastor. Why? Because your commitment to one another shouldn’t orbit around the world and what the world things but around God.
Have you ever thought about finding “the one,” that person who will be your everything and complete you? Far too many people think of a potential spouse as the ONE, when it should be the TWO! “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39, NIV). Notice how you’re instructed to love God first and your neighbor second? The same is true when you’re looking for true love! Commit to centering/orbiting around God in your marriage or pursuit of marriage.
Wherever you’re at relationship wise, I encourage you to shift your thinking—seek God first! If you have thoughts such as “I can’t be happy unless I’m in a relationship,” remember that you can’t be happy unless you have God in your life! If you’re hoping to marry,seek the ONE while preparing for your TWO! If you’re already married, seek the ONE with your two! One of the best ways to strengthen your marriage is to draw close to God (orbit around God) as a unit. This will not only strengthen your marriage but your entire family.