Nougat 11

Hi

The devotion introit was about marriage, and initially I couldn’t make the connection. But, if we are the Bride of Christ, then today’s Holy Nougat can actually an allusion to marriage.

“You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves,‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:19‬ ‭NCV‬‬

So before we consider bodies as temples, let’s talk relationships – well let’s reflect on relationships

1. What was the strength of your parents’ relationship in your formative years?

2. How did their relationship impact your understanding of what a partnership should be?

3. Are there aspects from their relationship which you determined not to include in any relationship you got involved in? Why

3b. Have you seen it in your relationships with others?

4. Are there aspects from their relationship which you determined TO include in any relationship you got involved in? Why?

4b. Have you seen it in your relationships with others?

5. What would you say is the best thing about you which you bring to a relationship?

6. What’s your view on divorce?

Having assessed your human relationships; it’s time to look for parallels between our understanding of relationships and how we relate to/with God.

Have we taken our understanding of human relationships and superimposed it on our expectations with God?

(I find it harder to trust, and divorce – separation from – is an easy approach to problems; thus I’ve had to be intentional in trusting God and to sticking with God through rough patches)

What positive and negative attitudes in relationships have we internalized and enacted in our spiritual walk?

(Our relationship with Jesus is as strong as we are willing to be engaged. God is totally committed. We are the ones who have a problem.)

Does our stance on divorce include or impact how we relate with God?

(Are we prepared to stick with God through the prayers that were answered contrary to our expectations? To stock with God when life gets rough? To stick with God when life is great?)

Do we give our best selves to our partners? And more so, do we give our best selves to God?

(For until we are willing to give our best selves to our relationships, especially with God, we may find that our commitment is wavering or has wavered).

I sincerely hope that these questions and reflections offer some clarity about relationships; in particular, our relationship with Jesus.

God bless you and thanks for engaging to the end.

In Christ’s love and grace . . .