Two Become One

Two Become One ... the great, marvelous mystery. 

How can it be that two become one, that a husband and wife, two distinct individuals, can become one?

My sweet husband and I celebrate our half-year anniversary on Valentine's Day each year ... our wedding anniversary on August 14th, and our half-year wedding anniversary on February 14th. This year on February 14, we will celebrate 44 1/2 years of marriage!

On our wedding day, we became one by the legal ruling of our state and the higher authority of God as we were united in marriage. We were declared as one at the altar, and consummated our oneness in our marriage bed. 

And each year, we find ourselves living together as one, and becoming more and more as one. This is a mystery. 

"This explains why a man leaves his father and mother

and is joined to his wife,

and the two are united into one."

(Genesis 2:24 NLT)

Just what does it mean to become one?

Though it is a mystery, we are given deeper understanding of this oneness through a picture of another mystery. Many times in Scripture the union of a husband and wife is compared to the union of Christ with His bride, the church.

Is there anything more beautiful? The picture of Christ giving Himself for His Bride, of the Bride willingly offering herself to Him is so beautiful. The picture of growing more and more into oneness with Him as we live in His love, and as we seek to know Him better - this is perfect oneness!

"Yes, everything is worthless when compared

with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

For His sake I have discarded everything else,

counting it all as garbage,

so that I could gain Christ

and become one with Him."

(Philippians 3:8-9a NLT)

This oneness between Christ and His people, the Church, is a beautiful pattern for the oneness He designed for marriage. This is our model for marriage: such a mystery - that our marriages can reflect His Love! The two become one in marriage is a beautiful picture to the world of the oneness that we experience with God. 

"As the Scriptures say, 

'A man leaves his father and mother

and is joined to his wife, 

and the two are united into one.

This is a great mystery,

but it is an illustration of the way

Christ and the church are one.'"

(Ephesians 5:31-32 NLT)

God's design is for us to grow more and more in love with Him, and also more and more in love in our marriages. It is a beautiful thing to be loved by God, and it is a beautiful thing to be loved by our husband. As we live together in love, in respect, in honoring each other, in sharing our struggles and victories, in seeking the best for the other, in spending quality time listening to and learning from each other, in enjoying each other ... we will grow in our oneness and in our reflection of His love for us.

May our marriages be a reflection of the Love of our Creator ...

Thank you, honey,

for being a reflection to me

of God's endless, faithful love.

You love me so well,

and I am so very blessed 

to be one with you

for 44 1/2 years on

 VALENTINE'S DAY!

I love you ...

For more posts on marriage:

ONE HEART: A Reflection of His Love

Linking up with:

Jennifer, at Tell His Story