I remember the first time I swam in the ocean. I had just turned 12 and in all my ocean vacation pictures I was wearing my favorite 90210 t-shirt. My parents bought me a boogie board, and I headed to the water to live out my surfer girl, West Beverly High School, beach dreams…I was actually in FL. I rode wave after wave as I kept my eyes on my parents. Eventually, my parents called me over and said we needed to return to the hotel. Puzzled, I looked at them and then looked at our surroundings. I asked, “Where is the hotel?” My mom pointed to this little speck off in the distance. I had no clue I had drifted away from the hotel. My focus was on my parents, who continually moved with me. That day, I learned that when Dylan from 90210 went surfing, he had a focal point that did not move.
This happens in our marriages, too.
We live and have always lived in a society that ebbs and flows with the times. When we set our focal point on social media, social issues, politics, movies/TV, music or those around us, we can begin to drift from what God desires for our marriage. When we saturate ourselves with the world’s standards, all of a sudden, the unbiblical standards seem normal because we have become desensitized to them. When this happens, we find ourselves drifting away from God, His will, and away from our spouse. Ponder this question…
Ephesians 4:13-15
…until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.
I challenge you today to open your Bible, to make time to pray (talk and listen), and to spend time with other believers to grow and improve your marriage. Consider making a commitment to turn off a song, close an app, turn off a movie, or shut down a conversation that is unhealthy for your marriage and/or unbiblical. Turn your focal point to God’s Word. In doing so, you might realize that you have drifted away, but just like my beach experience, put your feet on solid ground, look off in the distance, and start walking until you are right in front of your “focal point.” As you and your spouse step back into life, keep your eyes on God, as he is the same yesterday, today, and forever…and will not be moved.
