“Relish life with the spouse you love…” (Eccl 9:9 TM)

Marital happiness requires on environment of unselfishness. Two people deciding to live out what Jesus taught in His Sermon on the Mount will find happiness together. Each beatitude (what our attitude should be) begins with the word “blessed.” Which means ‘happy! True happiness is found in humility, a readiness to repent, gentleness, patience, being unassuming, loving what’s right and just, pure heartedness, and peace making. These are the qualities that make a marriage go the distance. And notice, they’re the opposite of selfishness! An un-crucified self is the worst possible marriage material. The wedding ring symbolizes unending commitment, but unless it is superimposed over the cross, the symbol of death to self, there can be no lasting marital happiness. Self-will put an end to love; love will put an end to self. Marriage is the ultimate invitation to growth in un-selfishness. Living with another imperfect person pushes us to mature, mellow and master the art of relationship – enhancing self-denial. Paul writes, “Love deeply; practice playing second fiddle’ (Rom 12:10 TM) The test of a loving relationship lies in putting our partner’s needs before our own. Asking whose good am I seeking in my handling of this situation? reveals our real heart attitude, prompting us to put our partner first. Deliberately deferring to them applies the cross to self and the flesh, and promotes our marriages the more self dies, the more our relationship lives… a grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die to make many seeds. But if it never dies, it remains only a single seed” (Jn 12:24NCV) (O.H)

PRAYER LINE: O God, the wedding ring symbolizes unending commitment to the union, come into the marriage for lasting marital happiness. Amen

 

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A fruitful life is a joyful life.