Optimal Living Magazine Fit, Fabulous & Full of Faith Issue

The Wifey 101 Series
Intimacy: The Key to Leaving
and Cleaving in Marriage
Leaving: Single is what we are until we choose to become married, it
implies wholeness, completeness, and maturity, neither Adam nor his
intended was broken in spirit before they married. Oftentimes, we
enter marriage to replace the void and emptiness of our soul. God’s
institution of marriage is between one man and one woman to fulfill HIS
purpose on the earth, have godly seed (children) and glorify him
through the union (Malachi 2:13-15). Notice in the beginning that
marriage was God’s idea, he put Adam to sleep, created his wife, and
awakened him when he was ready for them to meet. Adam had no
knowledge of his wife until God presented her to him (Genesis 2:21-25).
Perhaps, if women would remember that Adam is sleeping until God
opens his eyes then they wouldn’t get so impatient and make costly
decisions that make them bitter and men wouldn’t weaken their power
by giving their strength to the wrong woman.
Transition is the process of changing from what you were and the
newness of entering into what you shall become. Notice again, they
both had time with God alone before he brought them together
(Genesis 2:15-20). This is crucial time. A man and woman’s first vision
must be God (Genesis 2:7). Adam came into the knowledge of who he
was (identity), he had a career (purpose), and he was in charge
(authority). When the woman came on the scene everything was already
prepared and ready for her, she entered into what God already
formulated. She was intimate with him before she was ever intimate
and presented to Adam. Lastly, notice that God determined when they
both were ready. God established the first marriage with himself. Their
marriage union was not established by their own efforts, it was first
established with God himself; conversely, their union was not the
establishment of the marriage, God was. The institution itself is perfect
but can be destroyed by human will and choice.
Leaving home is necessary to cleaving because you cannot operate
your own house effectively under your parents’ dominion…not effectively.
.Marriage is a ministry unto God (not man). We leave the security
of parents to cleave with our spouse as written in the Bible. Becoming a
glorified union means you (both) endure and overcome all challenges
by remaining faithful to him.
Three Keys to Intimacy in Marriage:
Commitment: Commitment goes beyond duty and sacrifice. It is
Imbedded in having the right attitude as you endure the hardships of
marriage.
Covenant: The covenant is between three and not two. Remembering
the covenant by choosing to depend on the covenant giver, which is
God himself.
Communication: Communication allows us to connect by reaffirming
our intentions and listening to our spouse’s intentions.
Cleaving: The Hebrew meaning for the word cleave is dabaq (da-vak).It
literally means to stay with, overtake, stick together, be joined together
(as by glue) to pursue closely, and to catch by pursuit. It means to attach
oneself and to come upon. There is no you or me, there is only us:
having one vision, one union, and one purpose. “I” gives up “me” for
“us”. When we leave parents and self-centered motivations behind we
can hear the Lord call our name, we learn to trust God, depend upon
him, and become one in soul (mind, will, and emotions) with each other.
Those not fully committed to the process will divorce because they
have lost their purpose. Surrendering your will unto God will regulate
your emotions. You have entered a covenant with God and your
spouse by agreeing to be responsible not just for each other but to
each other and God. Here is where a marriage becomes glorified: love.
Love is the essence of it all, for God is love (I John 4:8). Love is able to
bind the relationship together (through covenant) even when
misunderstanding, confusion, anger, and discontent is prevalent in the
marriage, if we let him. The love will hold you together, if we will yield
to him, spend quality time with each other and by all means never lose
respect for each other.
Lynette is the President/Founder of WOMAN, INC (Women of God
On the Move Making a Difference Achieving Greatness Now),
non-profit organization since 2007. She is also the President/Founder
of Lynette Harrison Enterprises and author of: Reduce Me to Christ,
W.O.M.A.N. Lessons, and Baby I Didn’t Marry You for Your Feet!
President/Founder: The W.O.M.A.N. INSTITUTE. To purchase
products or to book Lynette to speak at your engagement visit:
www.LHEnterprises.org.
Winter 2017 Optimal Living 13