Marriage Study and My Definition of Marriage: Daily Reading and Discussion of Tim Keller's <The Meaning of Marriage>

Pastor Lee Sang-am and my partner and I participated in a 6-week <Couple's Life> class, which had many assignments. One of them was to read <The Meaning of Marriage> by Tim Keller daily and share our thoughts. Isaac read the English version and wrote in English, while I read the Korean version and wrote in Korean.

By sharing and discussing our thoughts, we were able to unify our concepts and definitions of Christian marriage. One of Isaac's most memorable sharings was his confession: <When I'm alone, I feel perfectly complete. But when I'm with someone, my shortcomings are revealed. That's why I learn humility through relationships.> I deeply resonated with this story. When I was single, I felt like I was the best and perfect because there were no conflicts. However, through meeting someone, my bitter roots were revealed, and I became humble and grew to maturity.

It was an inspiring time to see Isaac's insightful writings. During the 6-week course, we received advice on everything from financial management and checking each other's desires to how we should live in the future, and which love languages we valued most. Through the class, we became closer and understood each other better.

We lay down all idolized conditions and make the decision to love and take responsibility. The essence of marriage is a 'covenant'. Marriage is not romance, a transaction, self-realization, or self-satisfaction, but a covenant. Regardless of the other person's circumstances, my feelings, or my circumstances, marriage is a vow before God to love, trust, be with, and serve only this one person until death separates us, whether in joy or sorrow, wealth or poverty, health or sickness.

<b>My definition of marriage is a 'challenge' to recreate God's love for me in one human being I choose.</b> Because I am a sinner, not God, it will be extremely difficult. However, I want to try. Isaac is the first person I want to 'give' to. I want to 'challenge' myself to show God's love to this person. I will certainly fail many times. But despite that, I want to continuously challenge myself for the rest of my life. <Therefore, I want to become more like the Lord.>

<b>The purpose of marriage is said to be in God's glory and the happiness of the other person.</b> I hope our relationship and story will be used for God's glory. Through meeting Isaac, I feel secure in knowing that I am truly loved and accepted. I feel complete acceptance and service. Thank you, God, for sending this wonderful person to me.

+I wish many couples would take this class. Even when adopting a pet, I don't think you should just adopt without any preparation. Prior preparation is necessary. Pet dogs shouldn't eat grapes, and they can die if they eat chocolate. I think it's irresponsible to adopt a pet dog without this basic knowledge and raise it haphazardly. It's the same with marriage; I think a marriage without any education and preparation is irresponsible and 'dangerous', so I took this course.

(If you are interested in this course, please contact me via Instagram DM or email for details.)

Las Vegas Trip

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