Mensa Otabil - Make Room
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We’re still in Genesis Chapter 2, so much to learn. In verse 24, it states, «Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.» This passage indicates that the meeting between Adam and Eve is the basis for marriage, and it is, but it’s also a foundation for other relationships in our lives. The passage says that a man shall leave his father and mother, but Adam did not have a father; he is the first father and the first man.
The text states that he must join with his wife, so what does it mean for Adam that a man had to leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife? In what way did Adam leave? Of course, he didn’t leave Eden, but I think that the passage suggests that when Eve came into Adam’s life, Adam had to make adjustments for her. He had been in Eden for all this time, presumably having fixed a spot that was his base, home, or wherever he stayed. We don’t know where it was, but he had a life in Eden. When Eve arrived, he realized that the preparation he had made for himself did not include a second person. Therefore, he had to move from his place of safety and security and make adjustments for the second person who had come into his life.
What we learn from this passage is that when God brings people into our lives, we need to make adjustments to receive them. You cannot accept people into your life as you are. Whether you are a man or a woman, each of us lives our lives for ourselves, but when someone enters our lives, we must make adjustments. We have to make room. For Adam and Eve, although they are individuals and complete in themselves, and each can choose to live their lives independently, they decided to live together as husband and wife. This simply means that marriage is a choice. Interestingly, when God brought Eve to Adam, He didn’t force her into his life; both had to accept each other. They decided to start life together.
Though each of you can live your life successfully, when you come together, you need to make adjustments for one another. This is a very important principle for marriage. Sometimes, you see married people living separate lives, with no one really making adjustments to include the other person. If this union is going to work, adjustments must be made. However, this principle extends beyond marriage. If you have a business and new people join, you need to make adjustments for them. As parents, when a new child is born into the family, you must adjust your time, space, effort, and finances to include this new person in your life. If you have a church and God grows it by bringing new people, you must make adjustments for them; you cannot continue living as you did when you were alone in the church. Whenever God brings someone into our lives, we must make the necessary adjustments.
I pray that as God blesses you and brings good people around you, you will not push them away or let them go off on their own, but instead, you will make adjustments to include them in your space and your life. Let’s pray together. Say with me: «Heavenly Father, help me to make adjustments for the people you bring into my life. In Jesus' name, amen.»
Friend, allow people space in your life. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Peace and life to you.