by Sonya L. Williams
Any two individuals can plan a wedding, but a successful marriage requires more than a one day celebration; it requires a successful blueprint. Media, friends and family paint a variety of images for us to reflect. But when we choose to reflect the image we were created in (God’s image) we will set the blueprint for generations to come.
Here are a few things about M.A.R.R.I.A.G.E to remember as you plan your lives together as man and wife:
- Ministry-As with any ministry, we must have a heart to serve in order for God’s will to be fulfilled. In God’s command for us to be fruitful and multiply, He gave us everything we need to fulfill His plan. God did not create us as half beings that would only be whole once married, but He created us as two separate wholes with an even greater purpose as one flesh.
- Assignment-For those who have been called to marriage, God has a unique purpose in uniting you and your spouse as man and wife. Imagine a puzzle. Each individual piece has a specific assignment, but the assignment can only be completed when each one is in its place. Proverbs 18:22 says, He who finds a wife, finds a good thing and obtains favor in the Lord. When a man finds the wife who God has chosen for him, the assignment God has for their lives can be completed.
- Risk-No matter how long you have known your spouse, you never know what tomorrow holds. We do not know what trials we may face in marriage, but we can be sure that when our trust is in God and we are committed to obeying His word, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way.
- Responsibility-As one flesh, your responsibility is not only to yourself, but it is now to your spouse as well. Whether your spouse is experiencing bad health, bad credit or simple a bad attitude, it is your responsibility to stand strong in their time of weakness. It is your responsibility to intercede on your spouse’s behalf. You’re prayers are more powerful than anything you could physically do for your spouse.
- I-Once we say “I do”, it’s no longer about “Me”. It’s now about “We”. As one flesh, the decisions you make will affect your spouse in one way or another. Therefore we must remember to treat each other with the love and respect we would like to have shown towards us.
- Art-As two unique individuals, spouses bring different personalities and qualities into a marriage. One spouse may be a neat freak while the other is much more laid back. One spouse may like to plan for occasions, while the other prefers to be spontaneous. If we are willing to submit such things to God, and step outside of our comfort zones, growth can take place. Though we may bump heads at times, our differences are the perfect keys to creating a beautiful work of art in marriage.
- Gift-Marriage ordained by God is a gift that exemplifies His love in an earthly vessel. Marriage is an opportunity to commune as one flesh. Though God created us as complete human beings, we were also created with a desire for companionship. Marriage is to be cherished and esteemed holy. When this gift is committed unto God there is nothing and no one that can separate us. “Though one person may be overpowered by another, two people can resist one opponent. A triple-braided rope is not easily broken.“ Ecclesiastes 4:12
- Example-As husband and wife, we are to reflect the marriage of Christ and the church. Just as Christ sacrificed His life for us, we are to submit to one another as our spouse submits to Christ. Others should be able to identify us a Christians by the love and respect we have for each other.
As you plan this beautiful day, let’s keep in mind that marriage itself is not picture perfect, but with the perfect picture of what marriage should look like we can look forward to successful life together. With an understanding of what God created marriage to be, we can celebrate each day, thanking God for the gift He has given us in a spouse.
BMWK – what blueprint have you used for your marriage? Do you marriage that does not follow God’s plans for marriage can be successful?
Sonya L. Williams, author of “˜Til Death Do Us Part, is an aspiring actor and spoken word artist making her mark in the DMV area. As a creative writer, she has allowed her poetry to come to life from book pages to open mic stages at venues such as Poetry nightclub in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as Busboys and Poets in Shirlington, Virgnia. For more information visit her via: website, Facebook, and Twitter.
Nyesha says
Good article. I signed up for the daily emails!
Ronnie Tyler says
Thanks Nyesha!
Niambi says
Thank you for sharing! I loved what the acronynms stood for.
Kingdom-man Louis says
This is really is a GREAT article. I must share this because families today really new to grasp ahold of what’s important. And that is we honor God when we honor our spouses. Worldly couples should look at us and say “I want my marriage to be like that !” Then God will get the Glory!
Thanks for posting!
Mrs_2_be says
As a young woman who’s getting married soon, this article just reconfirmed the reason why I need to be grounded in The Lord before the ceremony, during the ceremony, and WAY after. Lots of people are marrying for all the wrong reasons. God should be the common numerator and denominator in your marriage. God bless the author for this article. Thank you.
Sonya L Williams says
Thanks so much for your reply! It certainly is important for us to develop a healthy relationship w/God before getting married. I often wish I knew then what I do now…but I thank God for using my mess to be the message to set others free. Thanks again for reading. Be sure to check out my other article: https://blackandmarriedwithkids.com/2012/07/peace-in-the-midst-of-a-marital-storm/
Sonya L Williams says
Thank you all for your responses! If you enjoyed this article, Im sure you’ll enjoy my book Til Death Do Us Part. You can download a PDF copy for only $5 at https://shop.authorstand.com/Products/10320-til-death-do-us-part.aspx or you can order an autographed paperback/hardcover copy on my website: http://www.wix.com/agapeluv/sonyalwilliams Thanks again for reading!
Michelle Wanamaker says
This was such a BLESSING!!!! I’ve been going through alot of things with my extended family and I read this yesterday right before another Extended Family ISSUE and it gave me such a BOOST…. I’m sure they weren’t expecting me to react the way I did but this article especially G helped me remain calm and CARRY On!!! Thank you so much for posting this!!!!
katrina says
This was great. I love it!
Tish says
I really appreciate your heart and the wisdom shared within this article.
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