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...Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:7)

It will be our 38th wedding anniversary in a few weeks, and (because I'm a man), I (finally) started researching GOD's purpose for marriage—BIG SHOCK—because the purpose of marriage is NOT happiness (that’s just a byproduct).

It seems that most marriages go through at least three distinct stages: (1) Romantic love, (2) Disillusionment and distraction, and (3) 3.1 Dissolution, 3.2 Adjustment with resignation, or 3.3 Adjustment with contentment.

We’ve all seen (and some have unfortunately tasted) marriages that have gone to pieces. The older I get, the more I’m convinced that a valid marriage can be compared to the painting of Jesus knocking on the door by William Holman Hunt. It is an allegorical painting representing the figure of Jesus preparing to knock on an overgrown and long-unopened door, illustrating Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." According to Hunt, he painted the picture with what he thought to be a divine command, showing that the door in the painting has no handle on the outside (where Jesus stands knocking) and can, therefore, only be opened from the inside - representing ‘the obstinately shut mind.’

This illustration perfectly sums up marriage (as well as every other area of our lives)—left on our own, and if we’re being honest, we manage to turn everything we do on our own into a disaster (as the cartoon of the woman staring in wonder at her three smiling children aptly states): "How are you all still alive, when despite all my best efforts I've managed to kill every plant I’ve ever bought?”

So, if we go into relationships in order to find happiness, joy, and meaning, then we’re doomed … because, as we’ve all learned (the hard way), you can only find those attributes in a relationship with GOD through Jesus Christ. Ergo, if you’re not a happy ‘single’ person, then how do you expect to be a happy ‘married’ person?

Therefore, a purposeful marriage is one where GOD has been ‘mutually’ requested to enter in – thereby being the glue in the marriage. I.E., GOD enters into it, and it cannot be broken.

Our Heaven Father is saying, “... My purpose for marriage is to be a picture of My love to a watching world. When you understand My view of marriage and My purposes in Christ Jesus, you will have stronger marriages, stronger families, and stronger communities. You will grow together as a couple, understanding each other, loving each other, helping and forgiving each other - and therefore, glorifying GOD together.“

Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. Christ-conquerors are safe from Devil-death.” (Rev 2:11)