Monday, May 26, 2008

Happily Ever After

Joel Hunter (pastor @ Northland) said something that has provoked a good bit of thinking in me for the past 24 hours or so. 

Technically he said "marriage" where I'm writing "relationships" -- and then talked about other relationships (within families and communities) where the same is true...so I'm using all of that context to influence what I suggest is not a word for word quote but is accurate. :)  (Do I really think that you are going to go download the podcast of this sermon and check my accuracy?  No, it's not paranoia. It's training as a journalist more likely. Well...and paranoia.)

RELATIONSHIPS AREN'T 
ABOUT HAPPINESS
RELATIONSHIPS ARE 
ABOUT HOLINESS

He suggests (and darn it, I'm pretty sure he's right) that God does not give us relationships to make us happy (or for us to make the other person happy) but to make us HOLY. Oh, sometimes happiness comes along for the ride like a big old slathering of frosting on the cake, sure. Anyhow, if you buy this thought -- if I buy it -- it has some interesting implications. 

What do you think?

2 comments:

  1. I think there might be sometimes I wish you were wrong, which only confirms that you are/Joel is right.

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  2. i agree whole-heartedly. Sadly it's due to the amount of divorce that I'm experiencing in my life right now.

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