The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God

by Timothy J. Keller

Marriage used to be about us, but now it is about me.

Never before in history has there been a society filled with people so idealistic in what they are seeking in a spouse.

It is a loss of pride and self-will that leads a person to humbly serve others.

Only if you have learned to serve others by the power of the Holy Spirit will you have the power to face the challenges of marriage.

If we look to our spouses to fill up our tanks in a way that only God can do, we are demanding an impossibility.

That is, you only discover your own happiness after each of you has put the happiness of your spouse ahead of your own, in a sustained way, in response to what Jesus has done for you.

It is impossible to have a smooth-running relationship with even one person, let alone two, always feeling that his or her desires should have preeminence because of all he or she has been through in life.

In consumer relationships, it could be said that the individual’s needs are more important than the relationship.