Time for a Marriage Revolution
From the pulpit to the pew – we continue to hear of the ruins and rubble of marriages across the country in our very own Christian communities. And divorce and broken marriages are no respecter of persons, race or nationalities. We hear of divorces in the predominantly white as well as bishops divorcing in the predominantly black churches.
We now learn of how Mexico is favoring installing into law a new ordinance of a two-year only Marriage Contract, with an option to renew at the end of the relationships term. (http://www.theblaze.com/stories/not-ready-for-till-death-do-you-part-mexico-considering-2-year-marriage-contracts/ )
But the most condemning evidence for the eye-opening motivation to do something about what's going on in our own Christian world comes from the Barna Research which most pastors confess to rely most of their statistical data from. According to Barna Research results, divorce rates among conservative Christians were frightening. As said, "significantly higher than for other faith groups, and much higher than Atheists and Agnostics."
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George Barna, president and founder of Barna Research Group, also commented:
"While it may be alarming to discover that born again Christians are more likely than others to experience a divorce, that pattern has been in place for quite some time. Even more disturbing, perhaps, is that when those individuals experience a divorce many of them feel their community of faith provides rejection rather than support and healing. But the research also raises questions regarding the effectiveness of how churches minister to families. The ultimate responsibility for a marriage belongs to the husband and wife, but the high incidence of divorce within the Christian community challenges the idea that churches provide truly practical and life-changing support for marriages."
And as icing on the cake, according to the Dallas Morning News, the national study "raised eyebrows, sowed confusion, [and] even brought on a little holy anger." This caused George Barna to write a letter to his supporters, saying that he is standing by his data, even though it is upsetting. He said that "we rarely find substantial differences" between the moral behavior of Christians and non-Christians. Barna Project Director Meg Flammang said: "We would love to be able to report that Christians are living very distinct lives and impacting the community, but ... in the area of divorce rates they continue to be the same." Both statements seem to be projecting the belief that conservative Christians and liberal Christians have the same divorce rate. This disagrees with their own data.
The Revolution: Occupy Your Marital Wall Street
It's true that if we always do, what we've always done, then we'll always get what we've always got! And right now, what we've been doing is NOT working!
While it is true that the Occupy Wall Street crowd is not synchronized in their goals and purpose, and also a purported fact being made exposed by The Blaze that most of the protesters are either paid or financially supported to be there, ( http://www.theblaze.com/stories/exposed-written-by-an-anarchist-anti-capitalism-group-occupy-wall-street-journal-full-color-free-newspaper-is-funded-by-george-soros-the-tides-foundation-code-pink-and-michael-moore/ ) but regardless the entire movement has made enough noise to gain not only the attention of American, but the world. Protesters are actually en route to their "Global Occupy" at the end of this month!
In the same respect, it's time to make noise about unhealthy, image-heavy marriages that are no marriages at all in our ranks.
I personally know a nationally renowned, high-profile recording artist and pastor that has verbally expressed to me how his success and financial goals were much more important than his marriage, and how his wife better not "stand in the way of success."
While this seems far fetched, it is not. And that is the problem... the is practically the "norm" among a slew of spiritual leaders. And the lack of verity in marriage relevance has trickled down to the saints under them.
We can no longer site idly by on the side of the road, but we need to be like the four lepers who said in 2nd Kings 7, "Why are sitting here on the side of the road to die? Let's get up and go to the Syrian Camp!" In other words, we can't just sit down and do nothing.
The Time for Revolution: Now
We do not have much time left. As Christians, our fundamental belief is that time is indeed winding up. From Christ's return, to the rise of the Antichrist, to the mark of the Beast, to One-world Government to the Rapture and Eternal Life – the time for revolution: now. Whatever we're going to do to save souls and ourselves, we'd better do it now!
Destroyed marriages not only ruin lives, homes, children and futures – but shattered marriages has destroyed and devastated hearts and crushed the spirits and souls of Christians in their most deepest level of faith of a loving, caring God.
Emotional ashes such as abandonment, self-loathing, hyper-depression, lack of worth and loss of complete hope are just a few of the symptoms of broken marriages.
Yet we preach on power, victory and blessings and do nothing to emphasize the need for not only a "revival" but a complete REVOLUTION of our marriages!
The time for Revolution is not tomorrow, but now!
If not now, then when? If not us, then who?
Conclusion: It's Time for a Marriage Revolution
Our challenge goes to all couples, all pastors and leaders, and all those in relationships that follow Christ - JOIN THE REVOLUTION!
We can no longer look to the left or right and leave it up to our brother or sister. It's not up to the leaders or ministers – it's up to you, married couples!
We must make our voices heard, and not be afraid to speak up for marriage – for healthy marriage.
No more half-hearted, luke-warm marriages! Now it's time for deep, close-knit, healthy marriages.
Even as I write this, a customer where I work came in to place an ad. He has an entire Rec-Room for sale. Everything for sale, from Pool Table, to lights, to all sorts of fun items. Yet, the very reason it's on sale, is that his wife hurt her back and he needs (and desires out of love) to transform this entire area for her comfort because of her back being hurt. Can you dig this? He is selling his entire fun Rec-Room to make it easier for his wife. His marriage is first! His love and relationship is priority. Since his wife was not here with him, he could have just as easily mumbled, griped and complained to the staff as we hear so many couples do. But he simply stated the reason to make the entire space for his wife. This is what we all need! Making our marriage our top priority!
In the midst of the temptation of prosperity, spiritual fame, temporal wealth, the question still remains - are you ready for a Revolution of Healthy Marriages?
Our final question for you – "Are you in?"
