“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. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Ephesians 5:31-33 ESV).
Paul says that there is a “profound mystery” surrounding the “one flesh” concept of a husband and wife in marriage and the way it illustrates the relationship between Christ and His church.
This past Saturday, June 2, Robin and I celebrated our 33rd anniversary. We have held fast to one another and have learned this mystery of which Paul speaks. We know this oneness.
We often finish one another’s sentences. We can sit quietly for hours, me reading, her stitching and then suddenly we both start talking at the same time… about the same thing. Weird? Maybe. Mysterious? Absolutely. I cannot imagine life without her.
Now, don’t misunderstand. We may be one, but we’re not the same. She’s a morning person. I’m a night owl. She’s sweet. I’m spicy. She’s a push over with the kids and grandkids. I’m a disciplinarian. She normally likes to play it safe. I tend to be a risk taker.
In most ways we are complete opposites, yet God has made us one. The Word says that when we commit to faithfully cling to one another, and continue to love and respect one another, that we in some way experience the mystery of this oneness.
For Paul the word “mystery” is not a puzzle for us to solve. It is more like a “secret” that must be revealed. What is this secret that marriage is supposed to reveal? It is that Christ wants us to be one with Him as He is one with the Father, that He wants to be our head while we become His body and that He wants to love us as His bride. That’s the mystery of marriage.
But for me there is one other… And that’s the mystery of why my normally cautious wife decided to take a leap of faith 33 years ago and marry me!
May God be glorified as Robin and I give Him thanks for this mysterious oneness that we now have with Him and with one another.
Thank you for sharing this! I have often wondered why Claude took that risk with me too!!! I’m constantly in awe of how God blesses the oneness of our marriage. We’ve had highs & lows and I’m sure there are plenty more of each to come, but I’m just so thankful for folks like you and like my parents (who will celebrate 50yrs this August!). Godly examples of marriage are rare in this world today!! God bless you both!
Thanks for your comment Sheila. Blessings!
Great pic of 2 of my favorite people. We love you guys and are honored to be on the journey with you.
God bless!!
Dennis and Lynn