Love and War

At Community Fellowship we are going through a couples study called Love and War. I am really enjoying the small group atmosphere and discussions. Tonight our pastor used and example of couples entering marriage. He had two glasses fully of rocks and other things. Each was decorated to look like a person. The purpose was to show two people in a dating relationship many times put up a guard and hide what is truly in the glasses until after marriage. Once there is conflict those things inside them spills out. This could be past hurt, disappointments, abuse, neglect, addictions and many other things. Rusty took the glasses and rocks and other things spilled out. All night I thought about the rocks in the floor. Finally, I came to the realization of what those rocks could be. We could use this two ways.

1.) An opportunity to point out flaws and reasons to quit. The whole mentality of I didn't marry this person. I didn't sign up for this. The person I married was the glass and not the stuff in it.

2.) An opportunity for intimacy. This is a chance to see the real person that you have married. You begin to pick up those rocks with them. You can share those burdens and heal together. As the transparency becomes a reality you find yourself letting your guard down. Neither of you are perfect but both of you are striving for it (In Christ). There will be failures, disappointments and struggles continuing to happen. The difference is that you have a helpmate to share and go through them with you. It brings a level of intimacy that only God can provide.