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FAITH AND MARRIAGE

This year, John and I celebrated our 10th anniversary. The time has flown as we have traveled all over the country and to three other countries. We have seen spectacular natural wonders, visited many of our national parks, and experienced together the awesome beauty and diversity of God's creation. I wish I had kept a travel journal! I do have some amazing pictures and some wonderful memories.

But, it almost did not happen. Our marriage was a big leap of faith for both of us. We met when John spoke to my local congregation in Grand Junction, Colorado. I was impressed with his approach to the question of faith and science being compatible and symbiotic. As far back as I can remember, I believed in God. I went to church on Sundays, but I did not read the Bible. I heard bits of it on Sundays. I was “baptized” (sprinkled) to “join the church” when I was about 12. I never questioned God's existence. When I was older, I listened to Billy Graham and “prayed Jesus into my heart” many times.

When my two children were young, I started going to Bible studies because a Christian woman knocked on my door and invited me. Soon I began attending a Church of Christ and understood the gospel for the first time. In 1977 I was baptized (immersed) into Christ, fully obeying Romans 6.

So John and I came to Christ very differently, but we had lost our life partners. God had to convince both of us that marrying each other was consistent with his will. We started e-mailing, with spiritual questions which evolved into personal ones, which resulted in phone calls. I flew out to visit him and his congregation, where I saw his ministry and involvement with the local church firsthand. I could see that his ministry was all-consuming, but that he needed someone to love and to love him.

I felt strongly that God had chosen me to be his wife, and we knew each other only a short time before we married. I can tell all Christians looking to marry, “Let God choose your partner!” The Bible tells us to “marry in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14). We must look at the heart, character, and fruit of a potential mate's life and NOT focus on outward appearance and sexual attraction. Love and commitment produce the best love life, period.

Faith has been the cornerstone of our relationship from the beginning and throughout the ten years of living together, working together, and loving each other unconditionally.

— Cynthia Clayton

Picture credits:
© Julie Marcussen

Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website.