Every now and then — quite often, actually — something annoys me to the point of earning a good rant. I’ve been thinking about this one for some time now, but a post last week got me thinking about it even more. That post dealt with relationship, specifically the relationship between God and man.
Today I want to talk about another kind of relationship, one that has only recently been invented. I think it first caught my attention a few years ago during one of Jerry Seinfeld’s standup routines. “When you’re in a relationship,” he began, and then proceeded to make some entertaining comment about something humorous regarding male-female interaction. The phrase immediately struck me as odd. It had weird vagueness about it, something familiar yet alien. What only a few decades earlier would have been a husband-wife joke was now . . . something else. In a relationship? What in the world can that mean? After all, I’m in relationships with
- God
- My wife
- My children
- Extended family members
- My church
- Friends and other acquaintances
- Bankers and various other businesses
- The mailman, garbage collectors, etc.
- The cat
Obviously, “in a relationship” is meaningless — which is no accident. “In a relationship” is now common parlance for “I’m ‘going steady,’ but since I’m an adult (or at least I ought to be) and am taking full advantage of the carnal pleasures reserved for marriage, I need a more adult-sounding description for my behavior.” It’s a relationship that’s all about getting, with minimal commitment required. That non-binding attribute is essential, and the vague description serves to maintain it. It’s a meaningless description for a meaningless relationship.
Let me suggest to you now that any relationship you’re in — thinking specifically about romantically-inclined male-female relationships — that doesn’t expect permanence, the object of which is not marriage, is unbiblical, and therefore immoral.
Facebook offers several relationship statuses:
- Single
- In a Relationship
- Engaged
- Married
- It’s Complicated
- In an Open Relationship
- Widowed
The Bible’s list is shorter:
- Single
- Betrothed
- Married
- Widowed
If you made your own list, which would it most resemble? If asked for your “status,” how would you answer? “In a relationship” will not do.
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3 Comments:
#1 || 10·07·19··13:19 || Pam
"Stuck" I've been hearing this one a lot lately at my work ... not in the good sense neither. But I am thankful for those whom which I am "stuck" too! This word has been on my mind and in fact in my devotions I have started a listing concerning the word 'stuck'. I am THANKFUL I am STUCK to Him and him! Think of this from God's view ...
#2 || 10·07·19··13:36 || Kim in ON
Oh boy, you're singing a song I can join in with. The whole "relationship status" on Facebook is so annoying. I find it ludicrous the way the teenagers say they're "in a relationship" when the way they conduct themselves is hardly good relationship practice.
You were much more thorough with your list. I had in my mind, either single or married. They should have one on there for teens that says, "Using someone to boost my ego."
#3 || 10·07·19··14:51 || David
Pam,
I suppose this dates me, but I’m reminded of this.
Kim,
I had a mock list made up that included
• Shacked up
• Trifling with another’s emotions
which are how I say “living together” and “dating.”
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