roses and relationships

Waking thought... a rose... a picture of relationship...

Each person... created in the image of God... a bearer of glory...

Each person... a rebellious sinner... hard to bear...

Roses... glorious... beautiful... fragrant... but... each must be handled with care... thorns hidden... beneath the beauty...

 

In close relationship... the pain of sin... overshadows the glory... the God-gift in the other...

The closest relationship of all... marriage... two-becoming-one... the stickiest of relationships... the one with the most potential for great glory... and great pain...

     Marriage unites two image bearers, two reflectors of God's glory. The marriage of two Christians has the potential to be truly wonderful and fulfilling. However, it is not something automatic, especially since we are image bearers who have rebelled against the one we reflect. In other words, marriage also brings together two sinners. The combination of glory can multiply the glory, and the combination of sin can enhance the sin.
     In marriage, both happen. Marriage is an institution of joy and grief. And the glory often comes through the struggles in communication, goals, priorities, child rearing, and sex. Anyone who expects glory without a fight is foolish. In a fallen world, problems, both small and great, will arise.

--- Dan Allendeer & Tremper Lonman III, Intimate Allies

We are willing to handle roses... because of their beauty... knowing the truth of the thorn... we approach with care... eyes wide open to the possibility of pain... hurt...

Relationships... approach them as roses... with awe and respect of the glory of God... but with care... and the reality of the pain of sin...

Fight... to reveal the glory... in others...

Fight... to diminish the thorns...

Especially with your spouse...

Be completely humble and gentle;

be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2

(my emphasis)