Tainted Relationships

It is sad to see how skewed relationships have become. I remember reading Song of Solomon (Song of Songs) in the Bible. It is an account of a man and a woman from introduction, to courting, to marriage, and the bliss that followed. There would be times that the woman wanted to give herself fully to the man, but he continued to call on her to wait until they were married. This is the outline of marriage in the Bible. I rarely see a couple, anymore, that isn’t together sexually before they get to marriage. I have heard some people speak of wanting to make sure that they were sexually compatible before committing themselves. What God had designed to be the greatest gift a couple could offer each other -purity, the world has thrown away. I was listening to a couple guys that were stunned by a couple that had never kissed until they were married. The one announcer made the comment, “(Paraphrased) What if they kiss and find out one of them is terrible at it. They are doomed. They will be stuck with that throughout the marriage.” They gave no credence to how well they fit spiritually, emotionally, ideologically, etc. The focus immediately went to the physical and sexual aspect of their relationship. The afore mentioned things are not easily changed and are the heart of who they are. The sexual can be learned and fine-tuned. When they reach their golden years (which I’m not sure those gentlemen will with current marriages) what will be the most important? When the physical beauty (as the world defines it) is gone, what is left to hold that marriage together. The announcers scoffed at the idea of saving one’s self for marriage, but it is the Biblical directive. This may be one of the reasons marriage relationships don’t seem to last that long amongst those that don’t value it’s worth. The world focuses so much on the sexual relationship that they often miss out on the beauty and intimacy that should be present. Scripture talks about the two becoming one... in a physical/spiritually bond. Every previous relationship cheapens what is given in that new relationship. If the marriage is just the physical act of sex, one won’t notice. If it is about the intimacy and joy God gives...the marriage is harmed. Father, instill in us the true understanding of what love, as You designed it is like. Draw us back to Your design. Amen