Marriage supposed to be a joyful adventure. Ours surely is (reader alert…one special reader, this article may be your Valentine’s Day card, sweetie. Isn’t this public venue romantic?).
I’m being totally sincere and serious, and my wife knows it. It sounded like another pastor felt affection and appreciation toward his wife and marriage last July. Pastor Joe Nelms of Family Baptist Church in Lebanon, Tennessee was invited to offer the opening prayer at a NASCAR race nearby. The pastor prayed for “these fine machines,” and then he thanked God for his “smokin’ hot wife.” In a righteous Ricky Bobby voice he concluded with “Boogity, Boogity!” which in race car language means something like “Go get em!”*
Now I may think my wife is smokin’ hot, but I’m probably not going to include it in my public prayers (for which she will be eternally grateful. But I have been known to make our Valentine’s greetings public…)
Pastor Joe’s defense of his prayer: “I’m just glad they’re praying at NASCAR races.” Me too, Joe. Boogity, boogity!
Marriage is supposed to bring us joy. But we need to be careful we don’t make marriage all about MY happiness, my needs and pleasures.
In the Bible marriage partners are told to first look out for the happiness and interests of the other (I Corinthians 7:1-5; Ephesians 5:21-33; I Peter 3:1-7).
That last Scripture also talks about praying together. Do you know repeated studies show that couples who pray together and attend church together have less than 1 in 1000 divorce rates?
We are also to accomplish things for God that we couldn’t do apart. The biblical word for “marriage” means “dedicated to God.” The word came from their Temple worship describing sacrifices totally dedicated to God’s use and His glory. When is the last time you gave any thought to how your marriage is serving and glorifying God, and what you can do together that you cannot do apart?
(*“Pastor Defends Calling Wife 'Smokin' Hot' in Prayer Before NASCAR Race,” by Colby Hochmuth Published July 25, 2011, FoxNews.com)
