“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female, and he also said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate”…
His disciples said to him, “If the relationship of a man with his wife is like this, it’s better not to marry.” (Matthew 19:4-6, 10)
It’s amazing how we Christians think a lot of times. God wants to give us something good. And all we focus on is the “have tos.”
God gives marriage to us as a gift, as a blessing. And all the disciples could think was, “Wait. I have to stay married to my wife all my life?”
Later, Jesus gave a young man the opportunity to follow him. To be his disciple. To find true life.
And all the man could think was, “Wait, I have to give all my possessions to the poor?” (Matthew 19:21-22)
Why do we so quickly think that way?
God says to us, “Don’t you understand how much joy I want to give you? Don’t you understand the good gift I’m giving you?”
Father, you are a good God. Forgive my stupid, hardened heart. Help me to throw away the “have to” mentality and joyfully embrace the good gifts you want to give me.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 