For many of us who appreciate art, we can look at what we would determine to be a beautiful painting and appreciate it for what it is. But often times, as we stare deeper into the work of art, beyond our first glance, we are drawn in to the scene before us and our emotions begin to turn. We can become encouraged, uplifted, amazed, and inspired. The emotions arise from the psychological connections we make between the painting and our own lives. For some, the path of discovery ends here. On the other hand, some will continue further down the road by researching information about the artist, their intended message from the piece, and their life’s story. Upon doing this, an even deeper appreciation for the work can occur as well as for the artist themselves.
What am I getting at with all of this? Marriage. Marriage is like the painting, and the artist is God. God created this beautiful masterpiece, as everything He creates is perfect and God. Through my own studies and life lessons, I have discovered that there is a depth to marriage that is beyond what we initially see, even beyond what we feel as we stare deeper in. You have to truly study the artist, to know the intent of the masterpiece… or you will never get it. Sure, you will see marriage as beautiful, but it will only be canvas deep. Truth be told, the depth of learning, beauty, and blessing in marriage is endless just as God is infinite. This is so, because the intent of His marriage design is for God to be the center, so that the beautiful unity of two becoming one can reflect to the world, our relationship with him. In such cases, couples can magnify to a watching world, eternal hope, saving grace, unwavering joy, relentless pursuit, sacrificial love, forgiveness, mercy, and the many other aspects of our most precious Creator. Deep inside of all of us, we know this to be true, in that marriages can and should be this way. It’s not a fairy tale… it’s possible. It’s not only possible… it’s beyond amazing!
The sad part of this story is that we often times take a glance at the painting and draw our own conclusion and then it’s off we go. When we do that, fail to realize all of the beautiful mystery that the panting holds and that which the artist has to reveal for the admirer. In the case of marriage, this is a massive tragedy. The admirer moves on, maybe carrying with them a smidgen of happiness and knowledge to which they feel is all that the painting has to offer. They may go on their marry way, for the rest of their life with self placed blinders on… never fully knowing… never fully experiencing… the marvelous joy that has been offered. In fact, at times we will even take our ignorance a step further. We will strike the painting with our own brush, slashing this way and that overtop of the original masterpiece. We do this to create our own interpretation of the artist intent. The deception here is that, only the artist could ever know and express His intent to the admirer. The admirer cannot try to recreate exactly what was intended, to the exact amount of brush strokes, color, angle, and amount of paint used. When we distort the original painting as such, every other person to view it after will have a different view of the work. They will see what you have painted, and not what the original artist had intended.
So I ask the questions. Why do we continue to distort Gods work of art with our own designs, thinking it’s better than what the Almighty had created, and would bring us more joy then what our Loving Father had originally intended? We have grayed the lines of morality, justified our sinful desires, and distorted the beauty that was, to which even our children are watching. We promote movies like 50 Shades of Grey, Magic Mike, and so many other PORN flicks. We do not turn away from explicit nudity, we run to it. We compare our spouses to others, creating a never ending sprint towards the unattainable mirage in the desert. If we were to ever get to where we think we need to be, we would find our selves wanting. We even go so far as to make comments about others of the opposite sex in front of our spouses as well as behind their backs. “Did you see that his butt?” I would totally date actress so and so!” These are all examples of sin, and there are countless others like it. When we do this, what happens to our heart? What happens to our view of marriage and our spouse? What message do we send to those who are watching and listening? Sounds to extreme? Satan is so clever, that he blurs those lines of morality and gets you to cut back the roots that exist under the surface of your marriage more and more so that one day, even the most gentle warm breeze will blow the shallow plant away. Jesus Himself said in the book of Matthew chapter 5,
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
God’s standards are so high that He considered LOOKING at another LUSTFULLY was the same as committing ADULTRY. Why? Because He knew what that open door would lead to, and do to marriages, and to our watching children who will learn by watching us. I understand it may not be the popular choice to not engage, or even to say something contradictory to sinful actions. But what else would speak love and appreciate to our Father who is watching from above? What else would speak love to our spouses to whom we are given the most honorable charge of caring for and loving? How else are we to be good stewards of this blessing that God has given us? What do such actions reveal about the wellspring of our own hearts?
Yes we are not perfect and we will make mistakes. God has a plan for that too! But the goal is love! What is love? To know love, we are given the ability to witness perfect love manifested and exemplified…a love lived out for the benefit of the entire world…Jesus Christ Himself. To know marriage, we look to the Bible which instructs us on Gods original work of art and all of the beauty, wonders, and joy painted within. I can almost see Him sitting in front of His blank canvas, and with every brush stroke, His smile seems to get wider and wider. As He works out the intricate details, he pours His sweat and tears into the perfection of it. Finally, He seals it with His blood so that there would be no doubt of its Creator and no doubt of its intent.
Bottom line: God created marriage, we didn’t. God’s purpose for is greater than our own, and always will be. We cannot experience the fullness of joy in it, until we learn to look deeper than the surface, deeper than what the world has to say about it. We have to look to the Creator to understand. To understand the depths of His love for us, and His plan paint that picture for the rest of the world to see, through the most blessed gift of marriage. Do our marriages reflect the love, nature, and promises of He who is love?
“God created marriage. No government subcommittee envisioned it. No social organization developed it. Marriage was conceived and born in the mind of God.” ~ Max Lucado
And I am so glad that it was He alone who designed it. It is with tears of joy that I write of how thankful I am, each and every day that I may be able discover the depths of His love for me and my family, and blessings of this gift we call, marriage. Look to Him, for He will show you. He’s been desiring to all along…
The Hammer and Chisel 