Marriage makes ONE

 Do two people walk hand in hand if they aren't going to the same place? (Amos 3:3 Message)

As a child one of the funniest field-day games to me was the three-legged race. How funny! Never wanting to get involved with the race I loved to just watch it. Hooops and hollers were my contribution to the whole hootenanny. Who made up this game??

It's quite obvious, that the key to the whole thing, is to hold your partner really tight, pause for a plan, and then communicate as you go. Call out go, go, go in cadence to keep in step and off you go. One partner can't run faster than the other. You can't let go of your partner and the two legs in the middle must move at the same time. Simple, right?  Well, then why is it at the sound of the cry of, "Go!" half of the participants fall coming out of the gate? Why is it that those that make it out of the gate soon stumble over someone that they allowed to get in their way? Who's idea is it to look back and cause the other one to fall? Ludicrous I tell you!

As crazy as this sounds, this is what often happens in relationships, especially marriages. Can two people walk togther--hand in hand as the version above declares-- if they are not going to the same place. Definitely, NO! They can not.

Think about it. Imagine two people walking hand in hand down the road. If one walks too fast then the other is in a constant "catching up" state. Constantly running behind the other brings feelings of anxiousness, degredation, and yes, even anger. Eventually, that person will grow tired or even fall and end up being drug along causing brokenness and injury. It does not work!

Imagine also if the two are going in slightly different paths. Over the course of time, one will need to let go if they want to progress. This can be a peaceful mutual decision or one hand can be ripped away from the other causing friction. It does not work.

Lastly, imagine two people walking and holding hands advancing upon a light pole. The two have to communicate and decided to veer left or veer right. If not, what is coming against them will split them apart or they will both remain stagnant struggling against the steel pole--in turn, again, causing pain and struggle.

Yes, two must AGREE in order to walk together to the same goal. There can be no dissension in the ranks. One must submit and support the other at some point in time when there is a disagreement. It's give and take. It is all or nothing. How can two walk together unless they are in agreement to go TOGETHER.

The bible continuously speaks on the power of togetherness. The passage below makes us a promise that we can not over look. This is an incentive to walking in agreement.

Key Verse: Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. Matthew 18.19 (HCS version)

Prayer: God help us when we walk in selfishness and decide to choose our own paths. Helps us to walk according to your Word as we walk together in agreement with our spouses. I pray for communication and divine direction in marriages so that we can fulfill the will of God for our lives.

Under the shadows!

Trouble comes!

⁵For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock. Ps. 27.5

Trouble comes. In every shape, size and level of intensity. Trouble is one of the sub-categories under CHANGE that remains constant. Trouble will sometimes knock hard and loud on the door of our lives. At other times, it slips and creeps in under window sills and cracks in the door. No matter how it comes, it comes.

I'm convinced that that our trouble with trouble is not when it comes but the season in which it arrives and the state of preparedness we are in. It may also come during a time when our mindset is not where it should be in order to handle it. That's the 'trouble' in trouble.  Don't believe me? Well, let's look at the story of the five wise and five foolish virgins and the two thieves on the cross to get a glimpse at this concept at work.

Something or someone was coming. Who was it? Yes, the bridegroom. But with him came an unexpected guest. Trouble. You know the story. Five of them were wise and brought extra oil in which to trim their lamps (or torches). The five foolish brought no oil with them and unbeknownst to them the were going to meet trouble that day. They were unprepared, that's obvious! But look deeper. These virgins in this day and time knew that some times it would take a while for the bridegroom to come for he often came at night. Yet, they chose not to be prepared. Instead, they had fallen back in contentment with the mindset that they could work around the issues of life. How do we know? Well, when the bridegroom came, they began to ask those around them to fill in the gaps for them. "Give us of your oil," they cried out. But they were continuously denied. They had grown accustomed to depending on others for their well-being. They lived their lives just getting by. They looked ready...but they weren't! The bible calls them foolish. The bridegroom came. Trouble came. The season had come. Because they were not prepared and because they had the wrong mindset, they missed out on the season! Trouble came.

What about the two thieves on the cross? They both had done wrong in the eyes of the law and were being put to death because of it. Trouble. Two thieves on the cross. Both thieves were accused and found guilty. But one--oh yes, one was probably not prepared but his mind was in the right place to deal with it. One thief cried out for Christ to come down and save all of them as he sneered and snarled. The other thief, found himself in a season full of trouble, unprepared because of the lifestyle he lived--yet, his mind was prepared to respond. He humbled himself, acknowledged his current state and cried out to the son of God! And his prayer was answered. For Christ said, "THIS DAY will you be with me in paradise."

Let me drop a pin right here and point out something that you might have missed. This other thief was unprepared but his mindset was in the right place. But, he still had to go through what was taking place at that time. However...look at this...he was prepared to walk into his next season! Ha! Okay, please don't miss your shout que. That's another post for another day!

Trouble. It came. It comes. It is coming. It's a constant revolving door that we must all be prepared for and in the right state of mind when it comes. We have to be careful to not react to trouble. A prepared person simply responds to trouble and moves on.

Key Verse: James 1.2-4  (CEV) My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.

Prayer: My father in heaven. Thank you for trouble. For in trouble I am made patient and steadfast. Thank you for the thorough work that you are doing in me so that I will be made perfect and lacking nothing! This is according to your word and your will for my life. Forgive me for the times that I have and will stumble in this area. Thank you for mercy! In Jesus Name-Amen.

Hidden under the Shadow!