THE IMPACTFUL FAMILY (9)

“...For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? – Matthew 19:4

Commitment is the Capstone of Fulfilment in Marriage and the IMPACTFUL FAMILY: “And said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?” (Mt.19:4). In today’s meditation passage, our Lord Jesus affirms that a fulfilling marriage is one in which the partners have a strong, lifelong commitment to each other. Marriage is an institution created and ordained by God, intended to be permanent, not broken by human decision.

The Pharisees tested our Lord by asking if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife "for any reason." He responded by going back to the biblical origin. Quoting Genesis 1:27 and 2:24, He reminded them that: Marriage is a sacred covenant initiated by God, in which the two are joined together by God into a single, unified entity; hence, it should not be undone by human choice. Commitment to the permanence of the relationship is the crucial key to marital and family impact. Love is more of a DECISION than an emotion or mere feeling. Lack of commitment is instrumental to the contemporary generation’s high rate of divorce.

Divorce is a concession, not a command! Even though Moses allowed for divorce, he permitted it only because of the people’s “hardness of hearts,” not because it was God's original intention. Divorce is a painful byproduct of human sin, not part of God's perfect plan. This teaching seemed so demanding that the disciples felt it was “better not to marry" (v.10). The Lord replied that a life of committed singleness is also a good option for those who are able to receive it (vv.11-12).

Based on the Biblical emphasis on lifelong commitment, the attributes of an Impactful family include: 

Unwavering Commitment: Prioritizing the Joy and well-being of family members through all life's challenges. In a world of transient relationships, this steadfastness is a powerful testimony.

Effective Communication: Talk with and listen to one another, creating a safe space for open and honest communication.

Quality Time Together: Enjoy being together and intentionally schedule time for family activities; an investment of time that creates lasting memories and reinforces relationships.

Shared Values and Purpose: A family united by Shared Faith and Values is able to function as a team (Jos.24:15).

Resilience and support: Strong families navigate stress and crisis by supporting one another rather than falling apart. They practice forgiveness and understanding, helping each member grow and bounce back from adversity. 

A fulfilling, impactful marriage involves receiving fresh grace to be committed to: sticking together during the inevitable rocky seasons and tough times; honouring each other, appreciating the unique roles; the continuity of the relationship; communicating, learning, growing, and changing together; and to spend a lifetime together, no matter how tough it turns out.