Oct 24, 2010


I need to give a shameless plug for this book by John Piper. It was the basis of our pastor's message at our wedding and has been a constant encouragement before and after our wedding. We would recommend it to anyone- whether married or not. Here is just a taste of the goodness you'll find inside:

"Marriage is not mainly about prospering economically; it is mainly about displaying the covenant-keeping love between Christ and his church. Knowing Christ is more important than making a living. Treasuring Christ is more important than bearing children. Being united to Christ by faith is a greater source of marital success than per- fect sex and double-income prosperity.


If we make secondary things primary, they cease to be secondary and become idolatrous. They have their place. But they are not first, and they are not guaranteed. Life is precarious, and even if it is long by human standards, it is short. “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” (Prov. 27:1).

So it is with marriage. It is a momentary gift. It may last a lifetime, or it may be snatched away on the honeymoon. Either way, it is short. It may have many bright days, or it may be covered with clouds. If we make secondary things primary, we will be embittered at the sorrows we must face. But if we set our face to make of marriage mainly what God designed it to be, no sorrows and no calamities can stand in our way. Every one of them will be, not an obstacle to success, but a way to succeed. The beauty of the covenant-keeping love between Christ and his church shines brightest when nothing but Christ can sustain it.


Very soon the shadow will give way to Reality. The partial will pass into the Perfect. The foretaste will lead to the Banquet. The troubled path will end in Paradise. A hundred candle-lit evenings will come to their consummation in the marriage supper of the Lamb. And this momentary marriage will be swallowed up by Life. Christ will be all and in all. And the purpose of marriage will be complete.


To that end may God give us eyes to see what matters most in this life. May the Holy Spirit, whom he sends, make his crucified and risen Son the supreme Treasure of our lives. And may that Treasure so satisfy our souls that the root of every marriage-destroying impulse is severed. And may the marriage-watching world be captivated by the covenant- keeping love of Christ."

5 comments:

Sharon said...

I attended a Christian wedding on Saturday evening, and was thankful to hear the pastor preach about what LOVE (I Corinthians 13) is truly all about. He spoke with the simplicity that I hope was engaging to lots of youthful attendees. Blessings on your married days,

Heidi said...

Thanks for the recommendation! I look forward to reading this book based on this excerpt and your example of living and loving according to God's word and Christ's example. I truly appreciate your inspiring comments. Blessings to both of you!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the book recommendation...seems like another to add to the library. Cathy

Blossoming Branches said...

Christ is portrayed so clearly through your marriage, praise God

Kim said...

Wow. I needed to read this! Our group of friends has been struck by the chaos, deception, and grief of divorce amongst a few long-time marriages. Piper has a wonderful way of focusing the lense. Blessings on you guys!!