The Ocean
Recently, as we were driving along the ocean shore line, we noticed that many of the homes and hotels in the area were absolutely gorgeous. They had ornate artistic pieces, added to the structure to give it a sense of old world charm. The buildings were obviously very expensive and built to last. Living along the coast of the ocean is not for the faint of heart, if a storm comes you have to be prepared to ride it out or evacuate. Either way you need a home that is built to endure any storm so that it lasts a lifetime.
Structure
The structure of any building is very important, you have to first have a sure and solid foundation, then you need a strong structure. Lots of permits must be filed, and building codes must be met, especially in an ever changing environment such as the ocean coast. We also need structure in our marriage, one thats built to last!
Ever Changing
One absolute in marriage is that nothing stays the same, things are always changing. Some people might disagree, but really even if you have a routine, a secure job, etc, you still live in the real world, where everything changes. Jobs change, technology changes, you grow as a person, or you don’t, but you will see changes. Life will happen, and probably when you least expect it to.
Being Flexible
In our marriage, we have had a lot of changes, and it seems just when we get settled in, in comes a storm, or in comes a blessing. We are always seeing God move in unexpected ways, and we have learned to be flexible. We have to be pliable, and “bend with the wind.” Palm trees are great examples of how to be flexible when even the worst of storms come. If we want a marriage that is built to last, we must be flexible and learn to say, “I’ll move that way,” when the storms of life press against our very being.
Other Buildings
When we were traveling down the coast enjoying the hot sun, and beautiful scenery, we noticed some other buildings that were not built to last. They were poorly constructed, no upkeep, no fine attention to detail, they looked as if someone just put them up in hopes of some quick money. These buildings didn’t say, we are safe and will withstand the hurricane, no they shouted “one large squall and we are falling flat.” If we don’t pay attention to the building of a strong marriage, we may start to fall apart and decay.
Our Blueprint
God has always had a blueprint for His people. We today just have to open up the bible and see what His detailed plan is for us concerning marriage. We can look in the word to see we need to have order, and we need to have a sure foundation. Jesus shows us over and over we need to construct our lives with strong materials that protect, and hold in place the values we find in the bible. We see we need to keep up and maintain our marriage, by being consistent daily in the word, prayer, and being faithful to church.
Attention To Detail
Along with keeping our walk with the Lord consistent and pure, we need to keen on our attention to detail with the love of our life! Details matter in marriage! If you have a career and you get sloppy, you won’t have that job very long. Same is true in marriage, if you don’t make it a priority you will end up with a house that will fall at the slightest wind. Be flexible, be consistent, create moments that say, “Value!” Build a marriage that says I am invested, and want to make this my forever home. Your marriage is meant to last, so build it with that thought in mind!!
Prayer
Our prayer for you today is that you use the tools the Lord has given to you to build a great marriage. If you think you need a little more help, ask for it! Find a godly, loving, solid marriage in your church and ask them to help. I’m sure they would love to share with you the wisdom on how to endure the storms of life!
Scriptures
Monday: Matthew 7:24 says, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:” Building a marriage that lasts takes building upon the Rock, Jesus Christ!
Tuesday: Isaiah 28:16 says, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” A sure foundation is only found in Jesus! Pray today he is the corner stone of your marriage!
Wednesday: Nahum 1:7 says, “The LORD [is] good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Know whatever comes the Lord will keep you!
Thursday: Luke 6:48 says, “He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.” Pray today for a strong home that stands in any storm!
Friday: Luke 6:49 says, ” But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” Pray today for an obedient heart, that your marriage will stand when the winds of life come!
Saturday: 2 Timothy 2:19 says, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” Our blueprint is Jesus Christ!
Sunday: Isaiah 61:10 says, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” This to me is a perfect description of attention to detail in marriage set by God.
Contact
Please feel free to contact us at janene@happilyevermarried.org or read and share more blog posts at http://happilyevermarried.org
Thank you for investing in your marriage and you too can have a happily ever married marriage!