CRAZY BUSY!!! That’s how so many people respond if you ask them how they are doing. Busy is basically the norm of life nowadays with work, school, recreation, smartphones, internet, chasing the American dream, etc. Sadly, most folks are out of breath! We have no time for God, for our spouse, for our family, and/or for eternal things. We are crazy busy!!
Last week, I shared two blogposts with you about taking the scenic route in marriage. The first post called our attention to the fact that the scenic route is not the normal route. Its less-travelled and not the overwhelming choice. Just like there’s a major difference between the scenic route and the interstate highway, biblical marriages should be radically different than the world’s idea of marriage. So our first point was to understand that God created marriage, not man. The second post added the thought that God directs marriage, not man.
Today, I want us to consider that the scenic route is a steady, slower pace.
My wife and I love riding the Blue Ridge Parkway that courses it way for 469 miles through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. If you were to travel the entire route, more than 200 overlooks would be calling for your attention.
These designated pull-offs look onto wide, breathtaking vistas, luring you to stop your car, get out, and see what God has created. You stand there and look this way, then that way as you listen to the quiet, soak up the sun, enjoy the breeze, perhaps see Peregrine falcons soar through the valley, as well as much more!
To enjoy this grandeur along the Parkway, you have to intentionally pull over, stop and get of out of the car to take it all in!
I want to ask you do something. Would you slow down, pull over, stop the car, get out and take a fresh look at the grandeur of this grace-gift called marriage? Sadly, too many couples are so crazy busy they have forgotten the awesome blessing of marriage!
Therefore, set a time for you and your spouse to “pull over” and read through the following passages. Husband, you read audibly the first verse, and wife, the second, and continue back-and-forth like that until you have completed the designated passage. When you are finished, each of you need to share what stood out to you in a positive way about marriage. Share with each other what verse struck a chord in your heart and why. Let the Word speak as you look at God’s creation, marriage. This could be a part of several dates to come as you read through one passage at a time, at each “overlook.”
- Genesis 2:18-25
- Proverbs 5:15-19; 18:22
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-11
- Song of Solomon 1:15-16; 2:1-17
- Song of Solomon 4:1-16
- Song of Solomon 5:1-16
- Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:18-33
- Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-12
Perhaps, you have lost the overall grand vista picture of what God intended marriage to be? Slow down. Make time for your spouse a major priority. Look into each other’s eyes. Share terms of love and endearment. Wrap each other up in your arms.
Exchange CRAZY BUSY for
From A Pastor's Heart 