Oneness

One of our most central themes of our marriage is our “oneness.” Whenever one of us pulls in a different direction we remind each other we are One.

Genesis 2:23-24

 “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

We are not just two separate people living together and living our own lives, but we are two separate people with some similar and differing spiritual gifts and perspectives that God masterfully uses to be most effective in ministering to others and mission.  We are blessed to have gone to the same Bible school.  We are of one mind theologically and Biblically and therefore make parenting and life decisions based upon the same foundation of Grace. I cannot express how grateful I am for this. No, we do not always agree, but I believe that our “oneness” in worldview really brings us into unity much of the time. I believe God created us different to bring a broader picture of ideas and thoughts and perspectives. The trick is to use these differences to make us stronger and more effective instead of creating division and disharmony. (This reminds me of the Church: our differences can bring unity and a broader scope of how and who we can minister to, but I digress.)

We have found a few resources on the topic of “oneness” we resonate with:

• • Can Marriage and Mission Mix? a Gospel-Centered  Discipleship article by Ben Connelly
  • Undivided Marriage: When Two People Become One Flesh by Mitchell & Rhonda Owens