The third area of our lives God desires to make holy is our second most intimate relationship and I call this “ripple” Affectionately Yours. The first, of course, is with God, since He knows us better than we know ourselves. But our relationship with our spouse is supposed to be so close that we begin to know what the other person is thinking before they say a word. We should get to know our spouse’s heart so deeply that we can provide for their needs before they ask. We should know their likes and dislikes so we can bring them peace by living in a way that will keep these in mind as we interact with them. Intimacy is to become one with the other person.
Becoming one is not an easy thing, of course. We are two completely different people, who really want the same things, but we go about getting these in totally different ways. This is a beautifully symbolic example of what our relationship is supposed to be like with our Lord. (Eph 5:32) We really do want the things God wants for us, like to love and be loved, to feel secure and to belong to others, but the way we try to get these desires are completely different from the way God knows we can have them. Two totally different beings becoming one. The sanctity of marriage is so much more important than we realize!
It is important for everyone in the Church to understand what God says about this sacred union. Even if you are not married, you may know a couple who need to know God’s wisdom about marriages and you may be a part of helping them become one. Marriage, what a lovely way to learn to be less selfish, and more like Jesus!
<>< Peace, Diane
