God’s desire for us is that we might be one in the bond of unity in the same way that we are one in the union and fellowship of Christ.
Consider this verse, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” – Genesis 2:24, (KJV)
Have you ever noticed that little word, “cleave” tucked into this verse? And have you ever stopped to consider the significance of that word? It means to keep, and to stick with, and to hold close to, but there’s also a deeper meaning that we should consider.
A cleft is a split, a crack, or a division. Therefore we can look at cleaving this way: to divide along the natural grain forming a cleft that is necessary when grafting two plants together.
In order for those plants to survive this new union they must be completely sealed.
When I consider this grafting of two plants, I can’t help but be reminded of the fact that God created Eve from Adam. When two are joined together in marriage, they return to their original state of union. A husband opens himself to envelope his bride and the two grow together as one.
When they are completely sealed by the Holy Spirit that union is protected and strengthened. Like a cord of three strands, it’s not easily broken.
This article is an excerpt from Messy: Beautiful Love by Darlene Schacht. Used with permission from Nelson Books © 2014.
Lord, help us to grow in unity. Teach us to live compassionately, embracing the needs of each other as we would our own. May our hearts beat as one, as together we seek to walk in Your mercy and grace. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene Schacht
The Time-Warp Wife