If you turn on the radio it is almost impossible to miss some song dripping with sentiment about how grand and wonderful love is. Same thing on the television, movie, and fairy tales. The knight in shining armor always rescues the damsel in distress and they live happily ever after.
So is it any wonder that people tend to give up on relationships when the times are tough and things are far from peaches and cream? We live in a society that says love is only love as long as you are getting what you want out of the relationship. We live by the morals that forever is only a maybe and walking away from a vow is alright if you have a good enough reason.
I wonder what Jesus thinks when he looks down and sees us treat love in such a fashion. After all, there was certainly not much personal gain from being flogged and beaten without raising a hand in defense. I'm sure he didn't feel his love reciprocated when the guards pushed down spikes of thorns upon his forehead. When the tip of a nail being driven into his bare flesh sent pulses of unimaginable pain coarsing through his entire body, I am sure he felt like running.
The world says give up. The world says it will be easier to start a new than to rebuild all that is broken. The world says you are justified, it's your right. But as Christians we are not called to listen to the world, but to follow the example of Christ Jesus.
What would happen to the divorce rate in this country if men and women began to realize that love is not a Nike commercial? You don't just do it because it feels good, you do it because you are devoted to your spouse and to the God you stood before on your wedding day. It is not easy, every marriage has rocky roads, some of our paths have pot holes a four story building could fall into, but before we give up, before we look to fill the gap in some other place, perhaps it would be prudent to ask God to help you heal what you already have.
Prayer: Father God, I come to you humbly this evening asking for your blessing upon the lives of your sheep that may receive this word. I pray God that it is pleasing unto you and that it will be acceptable in your sight. Father I pray for all of those that are hurting inside. Some Lord are hurting because they are lonely and desperately want to find their mate, some Lord are hurting because they are away from those they love, some have been abandoned and some are lost and confused and don't know where to start or start over. Father be with all of these people tongiht, give them comfort, send them peace and guidance that they might set their feet upon a path that you have designed. Lord all good things come from you, including the love a man and a woman share. Help bring healing into this land Lord, that we might once again see the union between a husband and wife as holy.
A post comment. Many of the things that cause a marriage to crumble can be dealt with over time and with God's direction. It is not the will of God, however, that anyone suffer abuse at the hands of your spouse. If you are experiencing abuse in your relationship please seek professional help.
Posted by My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter at 7:56 PM
1 comments:
fruit-cupcake said...
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 The Message
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