What Is Marriage FOR

23 “At last!” the man exclaimed.

“This one is bone from my bone,
    and flesh from my flesh!
She will be called ‘woman,’
    because she was taken from ‘man.’”

24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Genesis 2: 23-24

I"m sure you are wondering why I'm writing about marriage, since I am not married.

Well, my Pastor started a new message series about Love and this week's message was on marriage.

He based it on a book called Love-ology by John Mark Comer. 

Here is something from Scripture that Josh pointed out that blew my mind!  Verse 24

Adam and Eve did not have parents. God created them. So, verse 24 was written for us.

I just thought that was very interesting...

Anyway... Josh said there are 4 reasons to get married:

1. Friendship  Genesis 2:18
2. Gardening  Genesis 2:15
3. Sexuality    Genesis 2:24
4. Family        Genesis 1:28

I believe that God wants us to be friends first so we have a strong foundation. Love is cool. Don't get me wrong. But being friends is a good place to start.

On the gardening part, Josh had us laughing. What he really meant was a calling. Adam's calling was to garden and take care of the earth. We all need a spouse who has a calling from God. A calling that they are trying to fulfill, and something that we can do with them to further God's Kingdom.

Sex is self explanatory. However, can I beg you to leave the porn and talking to other people alone? Sex should be a special intimate connection because husband and wife. Notice I said, CONNECTION.  Also, Josh said, "God created us and every part of who we are it's part of your humanity... BUT it's not the defining thing." If we let sex or our sexual preference define us, that's wrong. Our identity is in Christ. 

Of course, God said for Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply. That's what He wants for us. I realize some people battle infertility. I'm sorry that some do, but I just want you to know that God did not cause that in your life. He wants people to have children. Or to be parents through adoption. Or to mentor children and / or help with kids at your church.

Divorce is rampant in the church. I am even a part of those statistics... so let me tell you 3 mistakes Josh said we make.

1. We get married for the WRONG reasons. (Just to have sex.Or just so we aren't alone.)
2. We ask the WRONG questions.(Are you still friends? Are you connecting sexually? Do you have a date night just for the two of you?)
3. We rate the WRONG person. (Don't always find fault in your spouse. Rate yourself sometimes.)

We should get married for the reasons listed above. They should be your friend, who you can participate in their calling with them, you are sexually attracted to each other, and if you are of age you can have kids together. (If you are old like me, then you'd just have two families joining each other... OR maybe you'll adopt. Like I still hope to one day.)

Marriage is a part of creation, NOT culture. That's why people all over the world, even in tribes get married. We were created for it.

These are my goals for marriage. I am praying for whoever God has planned for me.

Do you have this type of marriage? If not, do you long for something amazing like this? Let me know what you think.

God bless you today and always!