YOUR UTOPIA?

This post has been sitting untouched and labeled "draft" for well over a month.  I've finally plucked up the courage to put in out there.  I've been thinking on marriage of late; of God's purpose for marriage verses what I've hoped for from marriage.  Disclaimer: I am not married, but hope to be one day.  I'm also not a very skilled writer.  These are just thoughts that I've spewed onto this page and mulled over for some time.  The way most people want marriage to look is masked as a good thing and because of that is very dangerous.  This distorted view results in disappointment and the divorce so prevalent even among those who claim to be Christ's people.  How can this be so?

Let's take a step back.

Being the self-centered humans we are, I think you'd agree with me that it's pretty easy to slip into the idea of a perfect and dreamy life full of ease and happiness without even realizing it.  I wouldn't mind a house in the heart of the mountains and surrounded by evergreens.  I'd probably be okay with day-long nature hikes in national forests accompanied by my camera and closest friends.  Adventure is so appealing.  So is being an awesome cook, and having rad clothes, the perfect body, rocking hair, flawless face, un-awkward personality, and it goes on and on.  You get the idea.  I want to do it all, be it all, and have it all.  I slip into thinking I deserve a life of happiness, and I expect those things that occupy my wishful thoughts to provide that happiness.  In reality, I have created in my head my own utopia... with me at the center--a utopia leading only to death.

Matthew 16:24-25 // Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his live for my sake will find it."

When it comes to marriage, I fall into the same dangerous thinking of, "when I get this or reach this point in my life, then I'll be happy."  What's the big deal with wanting a perfect fairy tail?  Well what does God's Word have to say:

1 John 2:15-17 // Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and desires of the eyes and pride of life--is not from the Father but is from the world. 17And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

The "world or the things in the world" refers to idols--anything that replaces or steals our love for God.  As we've been shown in Matthew, the "will of God" John talks about is taking up our cross and following Christ Jesus.  Where did Jesus' journey lead him?  Straight to Calvary and the most horrifyingly brutal death--a death bringing life to those whom he calls to himself.  We are called to put to death the things that hinder our love for the Lord.

Jeremiah 2:13 // for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Guys, nothing ever leaves anyone happy for very long.  Either it comes to an end or it wasn't even all it was cracked up to be in the first place.  Jesus Christ is the only One who is everything he promises to be.  Nothing else in this world can satisfy you... (not even a lifetime supply of peanut butter) :)   Only Christ can do it, and he does it by changing and transforming our desires.  I know that marriage won't bring me ultimate happiness, purpose, or identity.  But even though marriage won't give me what my flesh desires, I can trust Christ's teachings on and God's purpose for marriage.  It is a gift from the Lord and will most certainly bring me more of Christ in the opportunity to imitate Christ by serving my future husband, laying down my life, and submitting to him; just as Christ did to the Father.  When my hope is properly placed in Him, there is greater joy in the beautiful gifts He pours out on me.

Let's not let ourselves get caught up in lesser things.  Christ is life.  His way is life.  Let's live.

Friend, what is your Utopia?  Is it really that??

xoxo

colette