Waxing lyrical on the institution of marriage

Sep 15, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I find myself giving some thoughts on the “Institution of Marriage,” and soon realized that a large percentage of our population does not know of the importance of Marriage. Yes, they may have knowledge of their friends being married. But lack the basic knowledge of knowing how vital a marriage means to them as a whole. They have seen people getting married and divorced and remarried. And so for them it’s a foregone conclusion — no marriage for me!
We should be matured in our minds and ask the question with an open mind. What does it mean to be married? For some that question would be avoided as much as possible. On the 7th September 2016, I was task with the duty and responsibility of officiating over a marriage ceremony. A home setting was prepared for the matrimony, and there were a few friends and family members present as witnesses. This occasion presented a golden opportunity for me as a Licensed Marriage Officer operating under the Laws of the Co-Operative Republic of Guyana also an Officer of the Ecclesiastical body to explain the importance of the Institution of Marriage.
Editor, space in your column would be limited for me to adequately and objectively share with our daily readers on the vital and most important aspect of being married. Kindly permit me this once to explain.
Some years ago I counseled with a young man who was inspired by my diagnoses of marriage captured in a book I wrote. He told me plainly that he don’t think that he will ever marry. At that time and season of his life he was disillusioned with life, and could not understand why people do get married? His analysis of marriage was based on what he had seen in his short time on the face of the earth. Couples were marrying and divorcing all the time, he told me. The fear of entering into marriage and soon after, separating was dominant in his mental psyche. This fear had a debilitating effect on his entire perspective of life as a whole. This year this same young man made a conscious decision to find himself a wife, and today, he is happily married to one wife.
Marriage is an act of faith! Marriage is a covenant; Marriage is a contract; Marriage is a divine appointment; Marriage is an honour; Marriage is a reward; Marriage is a pleasure; Marriage is a Holy Contract; Marriage is a work in progress; Marriage is beautiful: Marriage is a guarantee; Marriage is a promise; Marriage is a responsibility; Marriage is blessed; Marriage is marvelous; Marriage is an assurance; Marriage is a mystery; Marriage is beautiful; Marriage is a vehicle for procreation; Marriage is aesthetic; Marriage is a union; Marriage is a cornerstone; Marriage is a landmark; Marriage is an eye-opener; Marriage is a date with destiny; Marriage is a journey;
Marriage is a painful challenge; Marriage is a celebration; Marriage is ordained; Marriage is a dream come through; Marriage is a new beginning; Marriage is a commitment; Marriage is a happy state; Marriage is a joyous estate; Marriage is filled with Heavenly bliss; Marriage is a Spiritual renewal; Marriage is an amazing discovery; Marriage is a discipline; Marriage is complete; Marriage is anointed; Marriage is symbolic; Marriage is sanctified; Marriage is sacred, finally Marriage is an Institution.
Marriage would only be meaningful when it is lawful and entered into advisedly and discreetly; it is the most important step in life.
People today embrace all the negative vibes concerning marriage, but if the Church today; those Ministers that officiate in the marriage ceremonies should spend some [a lot] time with those candidates that seeks help in marrying; I am convinced that we can change the current trend of divorces taking place in society and in extension our country.
The concept of ‘Living home’ has been with our people for a long time. And this is because of a lack of knowledge; knowledge that is kept back, knowledge that has been denied them, or even knowledge that has been shun by many. Over the years I have spoken to many couples who were found ‘Living Home’ and they were happily married and is still married.
The lives of married couples takes on a unique format that speaks of true love; unity and understanding that is helpful in raising a family. There is security, provision, help and many ingredients that make for a happy and fulfilled life that cannot be denied or debated. A fulfilled life is what is missing in many homes where there is no family values linked to marriage. There is contention, conflicts and confusion.
Broken homes and battered lives make for troubled children, and a cycle of poverty and pain, despair and hardship is retained within the family. All of this could be avoided if wisdom and understanding is given a chance to strive. Editor, I trust that those reading these words on the Institution of Marriage would share with those that need the knowledge of being married, to make a difference in their lives and the community they live in.
Apostle Vanrick Beresford

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