Marriage is like... PAIRS FIGURE SKATING or LUGE

So, feedback yesterday suggests that perhaps I should look at marriage not from the human point of view, but from the other side - how it's designed :)

Pairs figure skating involves an intricate interaction between two people as they glide across the ice. The sport requires incredible trust - the woman must trust the man's strength and skill as he heaves her up over his head and sails her across the rink. The man must trust that the woman will maintain her focus and balance at the end of his arm so as not to fall and send them both reeling across the ice. They move in sync with one another and with the music executing their moves as they elicit an emotional response from the audience.


One of the most difficult aspects of pairs figure skating is the matching of the pairs. To skate effectively, the pair must blend both skill and style. Their temperaments must mesh. They need some type of skating "chemistry" to succeed on the ice. The pair needs the right choreographer as well, one who understands them and can create a show that highlights the best of the team.

The Christian marriage is much like this beautiful sport. The couple comes together by God's design - not as puppets, but carefully, prayerfully seeking the mate who God wants for them. This couple is sensitive to the qualities of their chosen one, moving forward knowing that the other wants the best for them. The perfect blend of personality, passions and dreams. One of my favorite verses, cited often on this blog, is "For I know the plans I have for you... plans not to harm you, but plans to give you hope and a future." ("My" simplified version of Jer. 29:11). God's plan includes the right mate at the right time!

Proverbs 3:5-6 says also, "Commit your way unto the Lord. Trust in Him and He will make your paths straight." Just like the skating choreographer considers the couple's unique skills when creating a program, God considers the couple's unique strengths and abilities for life. He has a perfect plan for each of us and for each marriage. We must trust in His choreography as life unfolds.

Trusting in God's plan, the married couple skates through life, executing a beautiful dance, built on trust and faith - in one another and in God's purposes. That's gold medal living.

Likewise the double's luge, for those who love the excitement and rush of fast living, provides a similar picture. The luge track is designed by a course developer. The twists, turns and speed of the track challenge the double's lugers down the track. The team, to succeed, must work in perfect harmony, dependent on one another to navigate the track without crashing. These teams, like figure skaters, develop based on the matching of complementary skills - together they are greater than either of them alone.

The Christian couple marries, knowing that life is better, more complete, with their partner than it could ever be alone. This couple recognizes that to succeed in the course of life, they must stick together in close unity to withstand the troubles that might otherwise lead them to crash. They navigate the troubles - and joys - of this world together, not alone. They reach the finish line, and God pronounces, "Well done, my good and faithful servant(s)." (Luke 19:17)

I stand corrected. Marriage is not like downhill skiing. It's a far more beautiful "dance." It is a life of teamwork and dedication and love that my skiing analogy just couldn't touch. May God bless our marriages with the beauty and trust of pairs figure skating and with the unity of the doubles' luge. Thanks for chiming in my friends.

God bless!