An Associate Pastor at NKST (Universal Reformed Christian Church) Iortyer in Iortyer-classis, Rev. Dr. Luther Timin, has told existing couples and those intending to get married that love and good character should be the determining factors of their choice of partner, and not material possessions or other considerations.
Rev. Timin, who is also a lecturer in the Department of Religion and Cultural Studies at Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, gave this admonition on Saturday during the solemnization of holy matrimony between Joy Mmem Igyemwase and Samuel Tertsea Saaka at the Church Auditorium on the theme: “Take care of what you love and be content with what you got.”
Reading from the book of Genesis 29:15-30, where Jacob is betrayed into marrying Leah, and upon consenting to serve another seven years obtains Rachel also, the cleric outlined many lessons from the passage and drew the congregation’s attention to it. “There are many practical lessons worth learning from in this passage. Firstly, Rebecca advised Jacob not to marry a Canaanite but instead to go to his grandfather’s kinsmen in Mesopotamia and marry a young lady there. Secondly, Jacob knew exactly the kind of woman he wanted and fell in love with Rachel at first sight, just like Adam did in Genesis 2:18. Thirdly, Rachel also returns the love that Jacob had for her.
“It is unfortunate that we live in an age and time where many are getting married without caring about the background of their partners. Some do not even know what they actually want in a partner, and others are in love relationships that are totally non-reciprocal. These unhealthy choices are bringing regrets and early dissolution of marriage unions,” he mentioned. He highlighted three key factors to consider when making a choice of a life partner, which include beauty, physique, background, and purpose.
“It is physical beauty that first of all attracts one to another, but this singular attribute is not enough to make you settle down with someone; look beyond facial beauty. Marry someone who thinks and believes much the same way you do. Let them have goals and ambitions for their lives like Rachel, whom the Bible described as a hardworking shepherdess where we have read, and not Leah, who was chiefly concerned about her outlooks.”
Earlier, the Resident Pastor of NKST Iortyer and Synod Executive Committee Member 1, Rev. Dr. Akpen Leva, who joined the couples in holy matrimony according to Christian teaching, reminded them that marriage is for better or for worse, and this entails that they are vowing to stick together through various circumstances, including good and challenging times.
