As I continue reflecting on God’s blueprint found in the book “Strengthening Your Marriage” by Wayne Mack, I will now focus on the need to cleave. The Merriam Webster Online Dictionary defines cleave as “to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly.” Mack writes that God “planned marriage to be a permanent relationship…to cleave to one another.” In Mark 10:7-9 the New International Version of the bible uses the word “united” while the King James Version uses “cleave”.
The day after Hurricane Fran came through I was supposed to go to one of my college classes and while driving on the two lane highway I came upon a section in road where trees blocked both directions. One by one each person got out of their vehicle and united with the goal to clear the impasse in the road. This was accomplished without one complaint but with all focusing on the goal and 1-2 people who fortunately had brought along a chainsaw.
What I am reminded of from this passage and is echoed in the book are a few primary points.
Husbands and wives must be “firmly…and unwaveringly” committed to the other.
“till death do us part” and “what God has brought together let no man or woman tear apart”
Commitment is an intentional choice. Commitment is greater than feeling.
This can be hard, sometimes REALLY HARD, but we must choose obedience to God over convenience and how we feel.
If all involved, husband, wife, and Christ are united in purpose and willingness to work hard on relational impasses then many impasses can become passable.
Unwavering commitment is needed to do whatever it takes to get through the impasse in the road.
Where you aim is usually where you will shoot!
Focusing on problems tend to lead to disunity. Focusing on a common goal usually leads to unity.
(Mack, Wayne A. (1999). Strengthening Your Marriage (2nd ed.) Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing Company.)
