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Please visit days 71, 77, 83, 89, 95, 101, and 108 for previous posts in this series on irresistible Christianity during the COVID19 crisis. Tomorrow we will resume our daily Scripture readings, meditations, and reflections. Together we will discover stability in studying Scripture! Marriage and family as mission The Biblical logic of understanding marriage and family as mission is simple: Marriage is a fundamental building block of God’s design for creation (Genesis 2:24) and the procreation and population of family is the first command of God for humanity- “Be fruitful and multiply.” (Genesis 1:28) The fall dis-ordered all of God’s good creation, introducing a power struggle between husband and wife (Genesis 3:16) and hostility between siblings. (Genesis 4) God calls His people to bless all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:1-3) and part of this is redeeming marriage and family, redeeming hearts through the work of Christ and reconciling relationships through the power of Christ. Scripture uses marriage as a paradigm for Christ’s relationship with the church (Ephesians 5:22-23) and family becomes the lens through which we understand life together in the Church. (1 John 3:1-2) The Biblical priority of seeing marriage and family as mission is to participate in reclaiming God’s fundamental design of creation and the furthering of His redemptive purposes in the world. Your marriage and family are fundamental to the advancement of the mission of God, the design of God, and the glory of God in the city where He has placed you.
The Burden This week I’ve strategically listened to several regional mental health leaders to discern how the Church can best prepare for leading after the storm of the COVID19 crisis. Most mental health experts in our region are saying the general population will have 1 out of every 2 people, 50% of our community, who will be impacted emotionally and mentally from isolation and loneliness due to the COVID-19 crisis. For those with resources it is anticipated that 80% of the 50% will look to medication for anxiety and depression. A local sociologist uses the term “social trauma” and most mental health professionals use more clinical terms for societal grief. How will the Church minister to the coming emotional and mental health pandemic? The Church has a wealth of resources in Christian marriage and family that must be deployed in creating a culture of belonging to bless those burdened with the mental and emotional impact from isolation and loneliness. When marriages and families begin to celebrate belovedness it will increase belonging and lead to blessing others. Belovedness & Belonging Belovedness begins with our relationship with the Lord. Isaiah 5:2 portrays the Lord singing over His people, His beloved, illustrated as a fruitful vineyard. Beloved is a rich word of affectionate endearment and the majority of uses in the OT are found in the Song of Solomon, beautiful poetry celebrating covenant love between a man and woman looking to the pleasure of marriage. The Hebrew word in the Old Testament communicates an authentic love for a spouse (Deuteronomy 21:15-16) and the imagery of a vineyard in Isaiah 5 propels us to John 15, teaching us that a beloved relationship abides for life and fruitfulness, first with Christ and then one another. Celebrating belovedness will birth a strong sense of belonging. When marriages and families celebrate their affectionate endearment to one another the bonds of belonging are strengthened. Belonging is a fundamental need for humanity. It is not good for us to be alone (Genesis 2:8) and for this reason to be cast out, to not belong, is one of the most severe forms of punishments. Solitary confinement in prison systems bears this out. We are created to belong first to God and then to one another. Children find life in belonging communicated by hugs from mom and dad. To not belong is a curse. To belong is blessing. Jesus says those who belong to Him will never be cast out. (John 6:47 Song of Solomon sings in celebration of belovedness, “I am my beloveds and he is mine!... and his banner over me is love!” The song of celebration arises from a heart that is glad, (3:11) captured by love, (4:9) thrilled in relationship, (5:4) and sealed with security of covenant commitment. (8:6) Do these describe your marriage? If not, how can the security of the love for your spouse be a safe place for them to sing in celebration? Keep dating, praying, learning, giving, and serving one another. Show the love you want to see and celebration of belovedness will follow. Families must rejoice in belonging to one another. Gratitude for belonging will be built through common experiences such as games, stories, making memories, and celebrating together. Celebration cultivates belonging and connection, strengthening a sense of commitment. Belovedness, belonging, and blessing others: Marriage and family are never a destination. Rather, marriage and family are vehicles for furthering the Kingdom and the glory of God. The Lord wants to use the celebrated belovedness of your marriage and your sense of belonging as a family to bless others who are emotionally and mentally impacted by the isolation and loneliness of the COVID19 crisis. Ask the Lord to search your heart with His Spirit, helping you see how you can strengthen belovedness and belonging in your marriage and family to overflow in blessing others. Maybe a call, card, or cookies for someone living alone will spill over from your affectionate endearment. Maybe a walk or welcome for a meal as sanctions are slowly lifted. The Spirit will lead when you are open to the flow of the Lord’s love. Celebrate and share the love of your marriage and family. Your belovedness will strengthen your sense of belonging and overflow to bless others. Here is a short piece/ FREE RESOURCE, from FPC San Antonio, on marriage and family which includes a large list of resources in Appendix A. Comments are closed.
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