By Ola Taiwo
A clergyman, Rev. Dayo Olajide, of the Fountain of Life Baptist Church (Rehoboth Land), Tipper Bus-Stop, Off Eleyele Road, Ibadan, has advised christian couples not to relegate God behind in their marital life but always seek his directions.
The pastor who gave the charge at at the wedding of Comfort Ayorinde Oyelade and John Oluwatosin Oyinloye at the church said God created marriage to address the need for companionship and establish a purposeful relationship between a man and a woman
He said since it was the God that initiated marriage, couples must not push Him aside after entering into the union, but should continue to seek His direction in their decisions, responsibilities and relationships.
“If it was God who started the relationship, if it was God who initiated your home, if it was God who gave you the rights and responsibilities, God should not be removed from that home,” he stated
The cleric described marriage as a divine institution that must not be driven solely by emotions, physical attraction or material considerations, stressing that couples should continually allow God to guide their home.
“Marriage is God’s idea. Marriage is God’s idea, and you must stay as God’s idea,” he said.
Olajide explained that marriage was more than the physical union of a man and a woman, saying its deeper significance could only be understood within the purpose of its divine origin.
“Marriage is beyond the coming together of the man and the woman. It is in the intent of God who instituted marriage,” he said
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He further described marriage as a mystery and a representation of the relationship between Christ and His Church, urging husbands and wives to demonstrate love, commitment, sacrifice and service in their homes.
“Marriage is a picture. It is beyond the emotions. It is beyond the feelings,” he said.
The ccleric warned Christian couples that their conduct at home could influence society’s perception of the Christian faith, urging them to ensure that their homes reflected the values they profess.
“What you do in your home is a message to the world. Let your marriage, let your home preach the right message to the world,” he stated.
The pastor urged the newly wedded couple, John and Comfort, to complement the spiritual foundation of their marriage with patience, mutual understanding and deliberate efforts to make each other happy.
Olajire, who doubles as the chairman of the occassion at the wedding ceremony charged the couple to build their marriage on God, mutual understanding, effective communication and sacrificial love.
He urged them to remain attentive to one another, communicate effectively and learn to accommodate their differences as they begin their marital journey.
The cleric while stating that marriage requires the active participation of both partners, urged the couple to take responsibility for decisions and actions that would promote peace and happiness in their home.
He encouraged them to approach challenges as partners, noting that patience, understanding and cooperation would be essential to sustaining their relationship.
The wedding brought together family members, friends, church leaders and well-wishers who celebrated the couple and prayed for a peaceful, successful and enduring marriage.
The traditional wedding ceremony was earlier held at Ruby Event Centre, Iletuntun, off Nihort Road, Ibadan, where the reception also took place.
