|
We have something of a marriage crisis in the United States these
days. According to the CDC, there were 7.1 newlyweds per 1,000
people in 2008, the most recent year available, and there were 3.5
divorcees per 1,000 people. Another site, the Forest Institute of
Professional Psychology, puts the rate somewhere around 50% for
first marriages, 67% for second marriages, and 74% for third
marriages. In any case, there are way too many divorces in our
society these days. And that is not what is supposed to happen. I
have lifted this passage from Hebrews 13, where it is embedded in a
list of behaviors of which disciples of Jesus are expected to
partake. According to Hebrews we are supposed to show hospitality
to strangers, remember those imprisoned, be free from the love of
money (that one isn't going so well either), be content with what we
have, and honor marriage! That is the list.
Now, I am sure you can think of the reasons divorce is on the rise
in America, or at least the reasons according to the politicians and
the media. The alleged problem(s) is pre-marital sex, homosexuals,
or women in the workplace. While we can debate the relative merits
of any of these behaviors/issues, I don't think any one has a lot to
do with divorce in our society. Nor do I think divorce is always
bad. I don't think I need to list the reasons one might get
divorced for good cause, so I won't, but you know them. No, the
problems run far deeper than we would like to admit. I am not going
to elaborate further in this space, instead I will continue this
line of thinking Sunday, but I want to leave you with what I think
is the beginning of the problem as well as the solution, and it is
back in the passage above, "let marriage be held in honor by all."
Ponder that.
.
|
Prayer: Holy God, let me this day honor the gift of
marriage. Help me to build up all those who are married and to see
marriage as an act of discipleship. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen
[text from file received from Phil Blackburn,
First Presbyterian Church]
 |
