No Longer Two

"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." -- Matthew 19:4-6 (NIV)

Jesus teaches that God made husband and wife to be an inseparable unit. Their union supercedes their relationship to their parents. This commitment and loyalty are to be for life. They are to be "no longer two, but one." Jesus is referring to an intimate sharing of the whole of two people's lives, including the past, present, and future. Consider the implications of such oneness in marriage.

How Are You Doing?

It's a question we, as leaders, are accustomed to asking of others. Sometimes the responses come to us in the form of a quick "fine," while other answers are much more detailed. At times we hear more than we wish to hear. While often we don't know what the responses to this question may bring... we strive to stay equipped to help with scriptures, prayer, and a listening ear. That's our job, right? But it's more than a job. We really do care.

Yet, I find that all too often, we don't take time to ask this question of ourselves or to each other.

So, how are you doing?

Really.