Friday 24 May 2013

Strong marriages as a fundamental catalyst for nation-building

A revised post ~

During a week's intensive seminar on transforming Penang and nation-building last year (August), Brother Yean Huat brought up a salient point: - "...our Christian marriages should be a statement to the world, one that portrays the relationship between Christ and His Church." 

The following is my reflection on the above statement, in light of the change of political climate in Malaysia in the recent years.

Christian couples should not take "...be fruitful and multiply..." as merely a mandate for offspring and family-making. Rather, it is first and foremost a call to nurture effective, Christ-centered marriages that would serve as fortresses against Satan's anti-Kingdom work, as well as catalysing agents for God's redemptive restoration upon this reconciled world (cf. 2 Cor 5:19). Such Christian marriages paint broad strokes of hope for the society. They are the means of God's mission being fulfilled on earth as they reach beyond the confines of eros love and the myriad of possible differences between spouses, in order to bring out the potential of other marriages in the society --- by example, word, giving and mentoring initiatives --- with God's gracious and merciful help. Those who are not married or yet unmarried are no less important in this mission. Indeed, I often think of those - who have been of great encouragement to Ben and I through their prayers and loving support - with the utmost gratitude. May we also be a blessing to you and you and you...

Dr. John Maxwell once rightly said, "Everything rises and falls on leadership." 

Effective (and healthy) leadership involves willing submission to a given authority as much as it involves the leader exercising his authority. It is upheld by trust in the leader as well as in the one being led. 

A country of many cities rises and falls on leadership. A city of many families rises and falls on leadership. 

Marriage rises and falls on leadership.  

In the Church's growing zeal to stand together with the rest of our countrymen for a stronger and more liberated Malaysia - there is indeed a great need for Christian marriages, in which husbands lovingly lead and wives willingly submit (mirroring the relationship between Christ and Church), to inspire a greater standard for other marriages in our communities and cities. A child, whose development takes place within a family environment, whereby his/her parents' marriage fully thrives and grows as a result of effective leadership, will eventually appreciate the tremendous values of trust and healthy submission. Only when the individuals of a community are secure to trust and submit to each other (as well as their leaders) will they be able to collaborate for the welfare of the community --- and ultimately, the cities and our country.  

While our circumstances may not be too excellent at the moment and the roots have burrowed deep, we can yet work on the soil in which the roots have rested - beginning with our marriages. 

1 comment:

adeline said...

Excellent! Preach it. Seriously, it needs to be preached and also to make singles aware of how their choice of a spouse goes beyond just the personal and into the deep things of the spiritual.