u/DueManufacturer4014

I think I may have explained my question badly before, because a lot of the answers I received focused on why marriages need witnesses, legal recognition, or government involvement.

What I’m actually wondering is more theological.

If marriage is a covenant between two people before God, and God knows their hearts, intentions, and promises, then why does human or institutional recognition determine whether that covenant is sacramentally valid?

I understand why people need witnesses, records, ceremonies, and rules. Those things protect both spouses and establish publicly that a marriage took place.

But does God need any of that?

If two people sincerely vow lifelong fidelity to one another before God and consider themselves bound by that covenant, what exactly is missing spiritually if a church or religious community did not witness it?

Basically, are the formal requirements of marriage necessary because they are inherently part of the covenant before God, or are they requirements created for the benefit of the human community so that we can recognize and regulate that covenant?

I’m not trying to argue that weddings, churches, witnesses, etc. are pointless. I’m trying to understand where the sacred part ends and the institutional/human part begins, and why the latter affects the validity of the former.

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If two adults sincerely love each other and privately make lifelong vows to one another before God, promising fidelity, commitment, and to treat their relationship as a marriage. Why wouldn’t that be considered a sacred marriage before God?

I understand why governments need legal marriage and why churches have ceremonies and traditions, but I’m struggling with the idea that a couple would need an institution, priest, witnesses, or a particular ceremony for their covenant with God to be considered valid.

If God knows their hearts and hears the promises they make to each other, what spiritually changes when those vows are witnessed or recognized by a church?

I’m not trying to insult anyone’s beliefs. I’m genuinely curious about the theological reasoning behind this, especially from Christians who believe church recognition is necessary. Does marriage fundamentally belongs to the couple and God, or to the couple, God, and a religious community?

I'm mid thirties and worried. I jobbed hopped a lot due to my family needing me. And now I feel like I've run out of time to establish a career. Can someone give advice? Any kind of career I can jump into to keep longterm and hopefully make a living?

I'm ashamed already and don't really think anyone can help. I guess I'm reachout to confirm there's no going forward. I'm 35, no job experience longer than a year and no degree only a GED... I have social anxiety, depression, you name and i probably have it undiagnosed. My parents have helped me financially because I can't make it in life. I don't have friends or even know what I'm good at. How do I turn my life around ? I wake up scared of being homeless but know that day is coming. I feel like such a burden to the only people love me. What do I do ?

I'm stressing and don't know how to find a job near me. I don't have a car and I'll sometimes get an interview but it leads now where. Can someone who's been in my place please help ? I live by Chicago which is why I'm frustrated, it feels like I should be able to find something but can't. I'm living with friends to help but want to be able to move out and be a functioning adult.

So many people say there is someone out there for you. They arrive in many forms and at unexpected times. Or telling you to be patient, that it's going to happen.

I've rushed through so many relationships, but now I wish I could slow down time. I just want to sit beside this person and watch the world end in their arms. More than anything, I want them to always be my constant.

After so much heartbreak, I started to lose hope. And as soon as I did, he found me.

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I used to think I was broken. Maybe I needed to be, so I could mend into the person I was meant to become.

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God, thank ypu. Even if this someday ends, I'll always be grateful that I got to know him.

Love truly exists. Keep hope alive, stay curious, and find yourself first.

My heart is broken, it's still scarred. There is no healing it. But it lead me the deepest love I've ever felt in my life.