On our wedding day our minds are naturally filled with the future joys we look forward to with our bride. And even when we acknowledge the road will include many heartaches and challenges, our focus still tends to be on what we will experience personally. But our marriage is not just about our joys and sorrows together. It serves our larger communities as well.
Certainly, there is a private side to marriage. We enjoy a sacred care and intimacy, a love intended just for the two of us.
At the same time, marriage has a ripple effect on all those around. And, in fact, part of its purpose includes this public service as well.
For instance, marriage provides the ideal foundation for growing the next generation.
We model for our kids what it means to be a man and a woman and how to engage in this dance of the sexes together. We also teach how to get along with each other and resolve our differences in a godly manner. And this is in addition to the many other guiding principles and life wisdom we pass on.
With this strong foundation, our kids grow to be productive members of society – continuing this legacy of building communities grounded in love and good works.
But are marriage also serves a more immediate role in our communities.
In short, we serve as an example of love and unity in a world all too prone to hate and division.
Marriage doesn’t suggest this is easy to do. But, at its best, it does remind us it’s possible and it’s worth the sacrifices required to achieve it.
It’s no wonder our communities become more and more polarized with irreconcilable differences when there are few marriages to serve as light in a dark world.
It starts at home. And our marriages are a key feature in showing the way.
Enjoy all the personal happiness your marriage brings. And remember your marriage is not just for the two of you. It has a role to play in serving the community as well.
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
