Home > Marriage > Spirituality > It's Not About Satisfaction
It's Not About Satisfaction
Why marriage has a purpose even when it isn't working
Julianna Slattery | posted 9/30/2008
 2 of 3
Being a faithful and loving spouse ultimately relies upon our choice to be faithful to God. Especially when a husband or wife is unlovable, continuing in the marriage is only possible when our life means more than finding pleasure, fulfillment, and happiness. When marriage is viewed as a calling or ministry, hope resurfaces in the midst of broken dreams. The hope is no longer that the frog will turn into Prince Charming. There is, instead, hope that God can be glorified through what seems like a tragedy. It is only in seeking God and his plan to build the "house" that forgiveness and unconditional love can infuse life into a dead marriage.
If being married is not about getting needs for intimacy and companionship met, then what is the purpose? Although God's design is for a husband and a wife to become one, the reality of marriage falls far short.
Marriage is a mystery that is meant to awaken and illuminate our hunger for Christ. Throughout the Bible, there are references describing marriage as a metaphor for Christ and his people. It is through the marriage experience that a woman can understand her longing for a bridegroom who will love and sacrifice unconditionally. The emptiness and disappointment that surface in marriage are not supposed to signal the end of hope, but begin the need for true hope. Marriage is not meant to satisfy, but to ignite the passion for which we were created—intimacy with God.
Although God may ask you to persevere through a marriage that is disappointing and unfulfilling, your needs are important to him. He does not ask you to ignore your longing for love and companionship, but to trust him with them.
Psalm 146:3 says, "Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men who cannot save." Even the best spouse cannot provide salvation—spiritually or emotionally. No matter how good your marriage, you will go through times of drought. Your spouse was never meant to satisfy you completely, nor you him or her.
Perhaps the most touching conversation Jesus had with a human while on earth was with the Samaritan woman as recorded in John 4. This woman had been married five times and was currently living with someone to whom she was not married. She was thirsty for love. Try as she might, the affection of a man never satisfied her. She probably hoped that the next guy just might be the hero she was longing for. Jesus knew her thirst for love, just as he knows yours. He said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13).
We'd really like to know what you think about this article! |
Is this the kind of article you'd like to see more of?
Is there a topic you'd like us to cover?
Please send your suggestions to |
Marriage Partnership
Home | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try 3 Issues of Christianity Today Free!
|
 |
|
Subscribe to Christianity Today and get 3 free trial issues. No credit card required.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only.
If you decide you want to keep Christianity Today coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive nine more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The three trial issues are yours to keep, regardless.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
RSS Feed
