Marriage - Where the Stakes are High
In my first post, I introduced myself to you and shared why I am blogging and the purpose of Scottkedersha.com. Today I share why it took me months (OK, years) of planning and preparing before finally going live with the blog. This idea/dream began over two years ago, with the goal of equipping couples while at the same time disentangling some of the thoughts running through my brain. So why did it take me over two years to launch?
The reality is that I am really scared of what you think of me. I’m scared no one will read this, and even more, I’m scared you might actually read this. And I’m scared that you’ll read this and I’ll hurt you or offend you or you won’t like me. To be completely honest, the only reason this blog didn’t launch two years ago is because of my fears and insecurities.
I still have some of those fears, but I am finally at the point where those fears don't control me. Michael Hyatt says a blog should be both personal and authentic - this blog will be deeply personal and will give you a view of what I am learning about myself, marriage and relationships. If you know me, you know I “wear my heart on my sleeve” and I am glad you’re taking the time to read.
The Stakes are High
Before I dive into relationship content, I want to share some more insight into why I am so passionate about relationships:
Take a look around. I see first hand the pain that broken relationships bring. We don't have to look far to see dysfunction, heartache, and pain all around us in relationships.
I have an incredible wife who loves Jesus and me. But, I know that either of us are one foolish decision away from hurting each other, our marriage, and many around us. I care deeply about our family, our marriage and our picture of God's love to the world through marriage. I feel the same away about the marriages of friends and family around me.
Relationships are deeply personal to each of us. We are created by a relational God, for relationship with others. Genesis 2:18 says, “It is not good for man to be alone.” We need others, yet marriage and relationships as we know them are really challenging. Divorce, cohabitation, shacking-up, premarital sex, kids out of marriage, same-sex marriage, single parent families, blended families, and just plain lame marriages - couples that aren’t divorced, but clearly aren’t living the way God intends.
The church is no different from the world - all of these challenges mentioned above - that's us. It’s time for the church to do what the church is supposed to do. As my friend John McGee says, the church is designed to be the relationship hospital and university and for too long the church has acted like she is incapable of equipping and caring for couples and individuals like she is designed to do.
Ephesians 5:31-32 says, ““Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.” Marriage is intended to be one of the best pictures we have of Christ’s love for the church.
What I get to do is help couples avoid the mess and instead present a right picture of Christ’s love for the church. Sometimes couples will break-up before they get married. Most of the time we get to help strengthen couples before they get hitched and equip those who are already married, whether married for a week or for decades. My desire, wherever you fall in this spectrum is that you would honor the Lord and are full of life, joy, holiness, and happiness in your relationship with your significant other. I hope you'll join me - the stakes are too high to not jump in.
Your turn: Pray with me for the marriages or engaged/dating couples around you.
Coming next week: How #inTIMEacy plays out in marriage - a series connected to Watermark’s current Sunday morning series on the spiritual disciplines.