“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?”--2 Corinthians 6:14, NKJV
Jonathan and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary! He surprised me at work with lunch (I thought he was the UPS man so I ignored him initially), he tidied up the home, bought me roses, took me to dinner and the list goes on. I am very blessed and thankful for the man I get to spend everyday with. How did I end up with such a good guy? I trusted God and I did not waiver on what I wanted to do in life. I did not melt at the first guy who told me I was the “one” or that I was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Honestly, words can be cheap. All it takes is one chick flick for a guy to know what to say. Jonathan tells me I am beautiful several times a day and it still makes my heart flutter but he does not stop there. He calls me for who God calls me. He does not just see me on the surface but he recognizes the purpose I was created for and the dreams I long to become a reality. He encourages my passions and works to provide and take care of our home. Above honoring me, he honors God. I fell in love with the man I could dream with. When I talk about seeing entire nations come to know Jesus or providing clean water for everyone in the world he dreams with me to see those things become possible. We plan to be millionaires by the time we are 30 and we know we will be. Our Daddy is the King. Therefore, our inheritance is the world!
Growing up, when I would hear the Scripture about not being unequally yoked, I instantly thought of eggs. It was several years before I began to understand the context. I was not sure what chickens or breakfast had to do with a relationship. However a good tip for the ladies: Always have the ingredients for chocolate chip pancakes on hand. Those provide awesome wife-points when made!
Thankfully, at this point in life, I now understand what this scripture is referring to. Just in case you are still unsure let me help.
Yoke – A device for joining together a pair of draft animals, especially oxen, usually consisting of a crosspiece with two bow-shaped pieces, each enclosing the head of an animal.
(It has nothing to do with eggs.)
Basically you need to be able to run together and walk together. Now when I hear the scripture about not being unequally yoked I imagine two strong oxen joined together, walking side by side, doing their job efficiently. Now imagine if you joined a Chihuahua to an ox…the ox would either stand still (highly unlikely) or the little dog would be pummeled and ran into the ground. The little dog would never be able to keep up. You should never consider dating someone you couldn’t agree with and walk out life together.
A relationship should be exciting and fun to dream about the things you can do as one, as well as dream about all the places you can go together. I can assure you, it is worth waiting for. Jonathan and I keep a Dr. Seuss notebook of “Oh The Places You’ll Go.” We record the things we dream of doing in life and we love when we have accomplished something in our dream book.
We were created to enjoy life in abundance. So ladies: Do not marry a little boy but get yourself a man who you dream with. Gentlemen: get yourself a woman who already knows she is beautiful by which you can affirm that in her.
Enjoy life,
Keeli
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
--John 10:10, NKJV