Monday's Marriage Moment - Check Your Warranty!

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

 Colossians 1:16

I bought a small appliance not too long ago, and the cashier asked me if I would like the warranty. I know she was doing her job, but I found her question funny since the warranty cost just as much as the appliance. As a matter of fact, it would have been more cost effective to buy another one instead of getting the warranty! Needless to say, I declined the warranty on this purchase.

Yet, I typically do get the warranty on larger investments. I like the convenience and the security of knowing that if something goes wrong or doesn’t work properly I can contact the manufacturer to repair or replace the defective device. That saves me time, worries, and money. All I have to do is contact the manufacturer and tell them what the problem is, show proof of purchase and warranty, and wait for them to make good on their end of the deal.

It may seem like a stretch to you, but marriage is the same way. Your marriage is a huge investment, and God is the manufacturer of it. It was His idea. He created it, developed it, and made it available to all of us. It’s not a good idea. It’s not a creative idea. It’s not a solution to loneliness or a goal to be achieved. It’s designed by God intentionally. He created it with purpose and for purpose. Before He instituted offices and callings, before He instituted schools and government, even before He created families and community He instituted marriage. So, why is it that we don’t contact the manufacturer when something in our marriage is not working as it should? Why don’t we pull out our warranty – “the written guarantee issued by the manufacturer” that promises to repair that which is broken?

We often tell our friends what the problem is. Some of us even go to social media with the problem. Very few of us go back to God, and His word (the warranty), to get a solution. Can I encourage you to talk to the Manufacturer this week? No matter how big or small He promises to address every concern. Your proof of purchase is the shed blood of Jesus Christ! That’s all the receipt you need. He purchased you Himself. So, go to Him, and tell him what needs to be repaired or replaced:

·         God you said that we are one in the warranty (Genesis 2:24), but we are not on the same page. Can you repair our hearts?

·         The warranty says that our home should be in order (Ephesians 5:22 – 24). Can you replace our disorder with your order?

·         The warranty says that we should love each other like you love the church (Ephesians 5:25 – 33). Can you repair our love for one another?

·         The warranty says that we should have humility and patience for one another in love (Ephesians 4:2). Can you give us patience in the place of our short tempers?

·         The warranty says that the husband should rejoice in his wife, and that we should be satisfied in our intimacy (Proverbs 5:18 – 19). Can you renew our passion?

·         The warranty says our communication should be graceful and edifying (Ephesians 4:29). Can you repaired our communication and replace our harsh words with words of kindness and love?

God is longing to work on your behalf. Bring your concerns and cares to Him. Take your marriage back to the Manufacturer this week and expect repair or replacement in every area. After all, the warranty only works if you use it!