So Jen and I are basically eloping in April to get married. We are not really eloping
"from" anyone, but going to a far off land to get married and honeymoon...Florida. And anyone that wants to come is welcome.
Nervous...Oh yes. Ready to go...Heck Yeah.
What is marriage? Marriage is the giving wholly of oneself to another person and that other person doing the same thing. What is it NOT? Standing in front of a preacher and saying some vows; Throwing a bunch of flowers; Saying I Do. Those things are a ceremony, not marriage.
What is baptism? Baptism is giving wholly to God yourself because he has already given everything to you. What is baptism NOT? Water; words you said before getting wet; balloons flying away in recognition. Those things are basically a ceremony, not baptism. Just like everyone says when giving their testimony: "I'm not saved when I get dunked, but I want everyone to see outward what I feel inward."
So how is this related? Anyone who knows us or is friends with us on Facebook knows we are living together. There are some people that will say it's wrong. Some will say we are doing it out of convenience. Most people don't care as long as we are happy. Let me work backward...
We are happy. Very happy in fact. We have a new house and are getting settled in. We are planning the perfect wedding for us. We are really good together.
This was not out of convenience. We didn't move in together because rent needed to be paid or one of us lived closer to work or whatever.
So....It comes down to "It's wrong to be living with your partner/mate/fiance/whatever unless you are married". Anyone who doesn't know us (Or Didn't Actually Talk To Us) can easily say that "biblically what you are doing is wrong. You are not married so you are living in sin." I get that. But that is SSSOOOO short sighted.
,For many years I've heard people say "if a couple isn't married, one of them can leave at any time." Did you know that you can get an uncontested divorce for under $500. And the divorce rate in America is 50%....even among CHRISTIANS. A marriage license is cheap, but a wedding and honeymoon is anything but cheap. Whether married or not, leaving is easy. Staying is work.
When I made a commitment to Jen in our relationship, I said "you are the one. I'm not looking for another." That is marriage. When I made a commitment to Christ, I said "you are my Lord. I'm not looking for another." That is when I married Christ and become a Christian (just like the church makes a decision to be the bride of Christ). Getting dunked in water is not when I became a Christian.
I say all of this to keep you from being short sighted and to actually have a conversation. It's OK if you don't agree with me. Just so you know, I also drink, dance (although not great), and curse. But I pray to God all the time. I thank him for my fiance and I pray for her and our future. I pray for my daughter and the decisions she is making right now. And I pray he guides me since I am the head of this house and have a higher responsibility whether I like it or not.
Jen is my wife even if there is no paper that says it. Just like I will protect my family, I will protect her. We are one.
-Sean
