Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Marriage Before Ministry

"It is tremendously hard to balance a relationship," said the Rev. Cynthia L. Hale, pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church. "If you happen to be more successful than your spouse or make more money or have greater prestige that is where the challenge comes in. There are many men who are secure in life, but there are also men who are insecure and they have struggled with having their wives [or girlfriends] excel in ways they don't."


This quote is taken from an article about Juanita Bynum being assaulted by her husband Bishop Thomas Weeks. First let me say that I hope and pray that Juanita Bynum and her husband can both repent, put God first and their marriage can be healed and restored. "With God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)

"It is tremendously hard to balance a relationship," That is true, and that is why God wants us to always and in all things put Him first. Second should come your family; spouse and then children. Thirdly is your ministry, and last but not least, the community, including your home church. "Who answering, said to them, Have you all not read, for he that made humans at the beginning, made them male and female? and he said, for this cause a man will leave father and mother, and he will cleave to his wife: and they will be two in one flesh. And so they not two now, but one flesh: therefore a human separate not, that what God has joined." Matthew 19:4-6.

It is wrong to neglect your marriage to build your ministry. It is also wrong to neglect your marriage to raise your children. Children need to see a healthy relationship, with God put first. When women submit to their husbands and men love their wives as Christ loves the church it creates a beautiful thing, a God centered marriage. And in case you are wondering, this is tried and true because it worked for my husband and I. God can take a mess, and when you follow His principles and put Him first, He can make it beautiful!

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