"And the Two Shall Be One"

Ephesians 5:30-32New International Version (NIV)

30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[a] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.

"and the two will become one flesh"  You might have read it in the Bible or heard it at a wedding.  However, have you ever considered what it means?  It says it is a profound mystery.  Can we understand it?  Probably not completely.  It says it is talking about the human relationship of marriage and the relationship of Christ and his church.

How can two humans become one?  That is not mathematically possible.  However. with God, all things are possible.  I have found one place on earth where two can become one.  Before I share this, let me say I am not a doctor or a scientist.  I am not trying to talk as one.  I am trying to illustrate the invisible with what is now visible.

So are you ready for two to become one?  To experience it you have to go back to the beginning, your beginning.  When a man has sexual intercourse with a woman and ejaculates a miracle takes place.  On average 180 million sperm cells are released.  One of those cells were you.  Against all odds, that one sperm cell traveled the six inches of the cervix and over the course of hours reached another cell.  That other cell was you.  The one in 180 million sperm cell and the egg find each other.  The sperm contains 23 chromosomes from your father. The egg contains 23 chromosomes from your mother.  These two separate cells come together and what do they form?  They do not form two combined cells.  They form one cell.  That cell contains the 6 billion codes that will make up you.  That cell is not a replica of the sperm or the human which it came from.  That cell is not a replica of the egg or the human which it came from.  It has taken the genetic information from both cells and created a new person.  You are not exactly your father or your mother.  You have similarities to your mother and similarities to your father.  However, you are a new person.  You have your own looks, personality, and life.

So what does this have to do with marriage?  Marriage is about two people with their own genetic make up, personality, past, and world view, coming together to create a new person.  When the 1 in 3 billion man succeeds against all odds to win the heart of that one very special woman, he cannot expect her to marry him and become just like him.  He can't even expect to marry her and to stay the same person he was.  The same is true for the woman as well.  She cannot expect to marry and change him into her or even stay the same herself.  Each person will bring their own "genetic code" into the marriage.  They will each have their past, their future dreams, and current lives.  They will be brought together and changed.  However, individuality is not lost.  Just like with a child, there are resemblances of each person that remains in the marriage.  Just like with a developing child, life circumstances and experiences will develop and change a married couple.

What can we do to make this process of oneness happen?  First thing that we need is admit that we are selfish and want to hold onto our old self.  Secondly, we need to receive our spouse.  This process can be painful.  We tell ourselves and sometimes our spouse "I will receive you when . . "  We want our spouse to change before we are willing to receive them.  Lastly and most importantly, we have to recognize that, just like new life requires a miracle, the oneness of marriage can only happen when God is at the center of the relationship.

Do you want to set aside some time to invest in the oneness of your relationship?  Go to www.weekendtoremember.com to register for a marriage getaway near you.  Use the group code "makingmemories" to receive a discount.