With every new milestone in life we experience excitement. We make our plans and we think we know what to expect and what is going to happen. As we do this, it isn't long into the new adventure or endeavor that we soon realize that things aren't what we thought they would be. It is after some time that the proverbial "scales" are lifted from our eyes and we began to see that things aren't always what they seem. We discover every flaw and shortcoming and we can often become discouraged. After some time we even carry the thoughts of just giving up and quitting. These milestones that I speak of could range from a new promotion at work, finding a new church home and of course embarking on the journey of marriage. Regardless of the scenario we have to realize that expectation can only be met when its combined with work ethic. Any new thing will soon show what its truly made of and marriage is no different. Your ability to work your marriage and endure all the trials that come is what it will take to make a successful marriage. When I was a new parent I remember one of my greatest joys was the Holiday of Christmas. I loved seeing that twilight and twinkle in my children's eyes. It was my badge of honor to see my kids smiling as they looked in our living room and saw a Christmas tree full of toys. Each kid with their own section unwrapping toys for well over an hour. They were so tired just from unwrapping stuff that they went back to sleep without playing with anything. A week later those same bounty of toys that brought my children joy are now either lost, broken or shoved into the bottom of a cluttered toy chest. After a several years of seeing this happen it donned on me that these toys didn't hold the value to my children that they showed Christmas morning. The idea of having toys was more valuable than the actual merchandise. Us adults tend to do the same thing. We desire to be married and we definitely enjoy the benefits of being married but at the first sign of turmoil and trouble we often tend to discard or throw away our vows to one another. So we have to ask ourselves, how much do we value our union? Is it a single day event or is it a lifelong commitment? Was it about the big day or the journey through life together? Christmas is one religious holiday that the world loves to celebrate but the true believer celebrates Jesus everyday.
So then, what do we do when life happens? What's next when the arguments get tough and there is trouble in paradise"? Its in these times when you show how much your marriage is truly worth. The Apostle Paul was implicit in his explanation of the love Christ has for us 31-39 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. Romans 8 31-39 The Message bible God has made a vow to us that there will be nothing to come in this life that can separate us from him. He even went so far as to describe the church as his bride so we could know that he would never leave us because we mean that much to him. So now that you can see how much Christ values his spouse and his marriage (enough to give his life for it), how much is your marriage worth? Is it worth fighting for, worth dying for? Is it worth forgiving , worth swallowing pride and apologizing for? No matter what the problem with Gods help you can overcome it. C. Miller
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
December 2016
Categories |